WHAT
YOU BELIEVE?
AND
WARNING!!
If you are a Christian student who is
planning to go to college, statistics indicate
that you have a 70% probability of abandoning
your Christian beliefs! And thats before you
finish your freshmen year!
If you are not planning on going to college,
you still have a 61% probability of abandoning
your Christian beliefs after high school.
DOES THIS CONCERN YOU?
Statistics show that of the Christian students
who go to college, 70% will abandon their Christian
beliefs before the end of their freshmen year. With
this high percentage, do you think that most
churches and youth groups and are preparing their
students effectively for the challenges to their
beliefs which those students will face after high
school?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHY THIS RESOURCE GUIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1. SELF-CHECK - HOW GOOD ARE YOU? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
2. WORLDVIEW AND PHILOSOPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
WORLDVIEWS AND COLLEGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3. CHALLENGING STATEMENTS FOR CHRISTIANS . . . . . . . . 58
THERE IS NO TRUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
CHRISTIANS SHOULDNT BE SO INTOLERANT . . . . . . . . . . . 68
ALL ROADS LEAD TO GOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
YOU SHOULDN'T JUDGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
CHRISTIANS ARE HYPOCRITES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
SCIENCE IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN KNOW REALITY . . . . . . 86
HAS ANYONE SEEN OR HEARD GOD? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
GOD IS A JEALOUS GOD AND ISNT WORTHY OF WORSHIP . 89
CHRISTIANITY IS JUST A CRUTCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
BELIEFS ARE DUE TO CULTURE AND GEOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . 91
IF I DON'T ACCEPT JESUS WILL I GO TO HELL? . . . . . . . . . . 94
IF GOD IS ALL POWERFUL, CAN HE MAKE A ROCK SO Big? . 95
JESUS IS A COPY CAT SAVIOR and CHRISTIANITY
IS A COPY CAT RELIGION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
JESUS NEVER EXISTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
THE BIBLE IS DEROGATORY TO WOMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
THE BIBLE PROMOTES SLAVERY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
IF CHRISTIANITY IS TRUE, THEN WHY DO SO MANY
INTELLIGENT PEOPLE NOT BELIEVE IT? . . . . . . . . . . . 102
REVISIONIST HISTORY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
4. APOLOGETICS (To Make A Defense For/Of). . . . . . . . . . 108
THE IMPACT OF OUR CHARACTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
REASONS TO LEARN EVIDENCES FOR CHRISTIANITY . . . . . . 126
5. EVIDENCES FOR CHRISTIANITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
TRUTH ICE CREAM OR INSULIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
GOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
PRIMARY ARGUMENTS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD . . 160
EVIL, Suffering, AND PAIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
WHAT ABOUT THE PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS? . . . . 171
CAN EVOLUTION EXPLAIN MORALS? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
WHO CREATED GOD? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
THE BIBLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
ARCHEOLOGICAL EVIDENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
PROPHETIC EVIDENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
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I believe this is particularly true if you are new to studying the truths
of Christianity. As most Christian students are new to a study of
evidences for Christianity, I highly recommend that for your first time
reading the information, that you go through the sections in the
order they are presented. I believe you will get the most out of this
guide using this method. Again, dont hesitate to go to any section
that is of interest to you, or that you are looking for answers in that
subject area.
When I first thought to create something like this guide more
than a few years back, my desire was to provide a resource for high
school students at the church my family attends. I wanted to put
together kind of an ALL-IN-ONE resource for students. Working with
high school students for the last 20+ years, I came to realize that
time and schedule obligations students are under really impact their
ability to attend a multi-part instruction extending over multiple
weeks. If you find that this describes you, this guide will allow you
to more fully investigate the topics included here according to your
schedule, at your pace, and also keep you from feeling that youve
missed important information due to the limitation of your schedule.
I have included an extensive number of Internet links
throughout the sections in this guide and a large categorized
section of links in the last section. This will provide you with
additional sites for greater depth of study of the topics in this guide.
This way you will be able to learn more about the subjects, as well
as become more familiar with the persons and organizations
providing information on these subjects.
This resource guide originally started out the size of a
business card with only a list of websites on the categories of Truth,
God, The Bible, and Jesus. I wanted to provide a quick handout for
anyone to be able to research information about these subjects
through the listed sites. I realized after creating it that I needed to
provide a context for the subjects rather than just listing them on a
card, so it grew into a small foldout with the additional information.
After a number of additional revisions to add content and clarify
sections, it has now grown to its present size. This represents 100s
of hours of my time in assembling it, but it will have been worth it if
you find value in it for important decisions in your life.
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Introduction
Have you ever really thought about what will happen to you
after this life? Have you really thought about why you believe what
you believe about what happens after this life? If you have thought
about either of these questions, have you really investigated the
evidences you are basing your conclusions on to these two
questions? Many people have beliefs theyve accepted without
ever really checking to see if there are evidences for those beliefs.
I remember that when I was in high school I didnt give much
thought to the reasons for the beliefs I had, including the beliefs that
had to do with what happens after we die. At that time I believed
that God would weigh my good works against my bad, and if my
good outweighed my bad, I would get to go to heaven. Kind of like
GRADING ON THE CURVE. I accepted many of the beliefs I held
because I was raised with them. While in high school, I started to
think about what I believed, and also the reasons I had to justify
what I believed. I wanted the reasons for my beliefs to be more
than just because I was raised with them. Have you thought about
the evidences for what you believe?
Since high school, Ive found evidences which have
changed some of my beliefs, especially my belief about going to
heaven and my good outweighing my bad. Ive also found
evidences which have confirmed other beliefs. Maybe you have
started to think about what you believe, and why. If you havent yet
started to think about the reasons you believe what you do, I hope
the information in this guide will motivate you to consider the
importance of what you believe, to really consider the evidences
you have to believe what you believe, and to consider the
implications of your beliefs.
You may be wondering, Why is what we believe
important? That is a great question! The reason that what we
believe is so important is because most of us live consistent with
what we really believe, even if we dont consciously think about the
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questions of life or are not quite sure what some of them are, here
are a few to get you thinking:
WHY AM I HERE? WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE?
WHERE DID I COME FROM? WHERE AM I GOING WHEN I DIE?
IS THERE A GOD? IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH?
Have you ever thought about any of these questions? Most
people spend more time thinking about a vacation destination than
they spend thinking about their eternal destination.
Check www.questionsoflife.com
The second problem is, how do we know that the
information we find is accurate? How can we be sure the
information is true? Many people still believe that simply finding
information on a website is proof that the information is true. This
is confirmed by what some had heard was a new feature of the new
iPhone 6, allowing it to be QUICK CHARGED in a microwave in just 90
seconds. Many new owners didnt realize the claim was a hoax,
because the website where they found the claim looked so
professional. These owners placed their phones in a microwave to
charge the phones. Instead of a charged phone, they ended up
destroying their phones. The following is one article bringing
attention to this hoax:
www.loadthegame.com/2014/09/22/hoaxers-claim-iphone-6-microwave-
charging-feature
This and the following are some of the reasons why I
created this guide. I want to show why its important to consider
these important questions of life, present answers to these
questions, and provide verifiable evidences for the truths of the
answers presented. Answers which go BEYOND A REASONABLE
DOUBT.
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Two specific terms you will see used in this guide, are
ARGUMENT and PROOF. The way ARGUMENT is used here is not as
a quarrel or heated disagreement. In this guide these terms are
used in the LEGAL sense, similar to a courtroom. In a courtroom,
the attorneys present ARGUMENTS about the guilt or innocence of
the defendant. They then provide evidence or PROOFS to support
their argument. Greg Koukl of www.str.org found this very
humorous illustration of this EVIDENCE / PROOF type of argument.
Here is the link to the YouTube video:
ARGUMENT CLINIC - JOHN CLEESE AND MICHAEL PALIN - Monty Python
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUIA40uLlKw
Here are additional sites on evidences and logic:
LOGICAL FALLACIES www.logicalfallacies.info
FALLACY FILES www.fallacyfiles.org/taxonomy.html
FALLACY DETECTIVE http://christianlogic.com
STRAIGHT THINKING www.reasons.org/explore/type/straight-thinking
LOGIC PRIMER
www.apologetics315.com/2009/05/basic-logic-primer.html
I think the most accurate way to view this guide is to view it
as a TOOLBOX, and the different resources as TOOLS. My desire is
not only that you know that tools exist, but also that you have
methods to increase your proficiency with the various tools. This
way you can be encouraged in what you believe as a Christian, be
able to share these truths effectively with others, and also be able
to defend against challenges to what you believe.
Think about taking tests in school. When was the last time
you enjoyed taking a pop-quiz or looked forward to a test or a final?
If you werent confident in your knowledge of the subject, you
probably werent excited at all. But what if you had studied well and
had confidence in your knowledge? You might have actually looked
forward to taking the quiz, to be able to demonstrate your
proficiency of your knowledge. Knowledge gives us confidence!
When we are prepared, we do well. When we arent prepared, we
rarely do well. The same is true with questions about and
challenges to Christianity. When you are prepared to respond to
questions and challenges raised against Christianity, you can
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lifestyle and not just a short term goal. The reason for this is
illustrated by the phrase Use it or lose it.
1 Peter 3:15 indicates Always be prepared.
Think back to previous classes you have had. If you had to
take the same tests now that you took then, would you do as well
on the test as you did then? Probably not, right? Me neither.
However, what if you kept familiar with the knowledge? You would
probably do as well, maybe even better. And would it take much
time to stay familiar? Not once youve learned the information. If
we are to Always be prepared, we need to be staying familiar with
information which can have an eternal implication for the people we
talk with.
One professor I reference in this guide is Jay Wegter. In his
audio recordings he describes initiating conversations with others
so that he can motivate them to think about eternal matters, and
also answer challenges they might have. His accounts dont give
the impression that he is hesitant when approaching others. His
proficiency gives him confidence. It is natural for us to have feelings
of hesitation when thinking of talking with others about these
subjects. However, with specific knowledge and practice, the
prospect of talking with someone about these subjects becomes far
less intimidating. It certainly sounds this way for Jay Wegter.
I believe the thought that motivates Jay above all others and
excites him about speaking with others, is that he realizes that God
has placed him there at that moment in time, in that encounter with
this other person. Jay knows that he might be the last person God
uses to bring this person to the point of thinking about where they
are, and where they might spend eternity.
One of the things you can do to improve your knowledge
and confidence is to read and re-read sections in this guide. As this
guide is more a reference guide and not a novel you would read
through once, you will find value in reviewing sections youve not
yet become proficient in. Hopefully, with the table of contents as
well as the web links being clickable, you will be able to quickly go
to any section and/or access the web content of any link.
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right? So telling one lie makes one guilty of lying, right? The Bible
warns that all liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire (Revelation
21:8). If youve told even one lie, what does that make you? That
makes you a liar, right? Guess what? I am too.
Exodus 20:15 "You shall not steal"
The basic definition of stealing is taking something that
doesnt belong to us. Have you ever taken something that belonged
to someone else; taken from work, from school, from your parents,
etc.? Have you ever download music, movies, or software without
paying for them? If you have taken anything that doesnt belong to
you, you have stolen, right? Even if it was very small, taking
something not belonging to use is still stealing. The value of the
thing taken doesn't matter does it? Petty theft is still theft. If you
have ever stolen anything, what does that make you? That makes
you a thief, right? Guess what? Im guilty of that one also.
Exodus 20:12 "You shall not commit adultery" Jesus warned, "You
have heard... 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you
that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already
committed adultery with her in his heart."
The Bible mentions both adulterers and fornicators (those
who have had sex before marriage), as being in the same dilemma.
Have you ever looked at another person with lustful thoughts?
What does that make you? That makes you an adulterer or
fornicator, right? And yes, Im guilty of this one also. What about
pornography? Have you viewed pornographic pictures and had
lustful thoughts toward the persons in the pictures?
If we are honest, we have to admit that we have broken all
three of these commandments. In breaking just these three
commandments, by definition, WE ARE LYING THIEVING ADULTERERS
AT HEART. If God were to judge us, would He find us innocent or
guilty? I know I would be found guilty. What if we looked at how
successful weve been in obeying the other seven commandments?
Would this help us? If youre like me, then almost surely no. Most
of us have broken almost all of the Ten Commandments too
because the Bible indicates that we are not only guilty because of
our actions, but also guilty because of our thoughts and motivations.
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hold up to our lives which shows us our true sinful condition in light
of Gods standard.
God has indicated that none of us are good enough nor can
we be, because we are not qualified to pay the sin debt we owe.
He is the only one qualified to pay our debt. His payment is based
solely on our acceptance of it. It is not dependent on how good we
are, how intelligent, how capable, how much money we have, how
much power, etc. His gift is freely available to all, regardless of what
we have to offer. Everyone can freely choose to receive His gift.
This is only possible because Jesus is God, and He is qualified to
pay our sin debt. He did everything necessary to pay the debt.
So, the question we must answer is,
Are the claims of Christianity true?
If not true, then none of this matters. You may be reading
this and truly believe that Christianity isnt true. Is there any
possibility that you could you be wrong? If there is even the
possibility that Heaven and hell exist and that everyone will go to
either heaven or hell after this life, isnt it worth investing a little time
to consider the evidences and the implications of the evidences?
You might be thinking the same question of me. Is it
possible that I could be wrong? I would answer Yes. I fully admit
that there is that possibility I could be wrong.
You may wonder then, Why would I try to persuade
others about a belief which could be wrong? That would be a
very fair question, and one Ive asked myself in the past.
The answer I would give has to do not with my beliefs, but
with the evidences. The evidences confirming the truths of
Christianity, God, Jesus, and the Bible are so overwhelming to me
compared to any evidences proposed against them or for any other
belief. If there was a belief other than Christianity which better fit
the available evidences, I certainly would change to that belief
instead of Christianity. The reason I am trying to persuade people
to check out the evidences for Christianity is because of the
implications if Christianity is true, and my concern that everyone is
subject to these implications.
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Christianity in this guide, I believe you will see the great truthfulness
of Christianity as compared to any other belief system.
44 QUESTIONS FOR THE NOT-YET-A-BELIEVER
http://christiananswers.net/q-aiia/questions-for-
skeptics.html
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world as they are determined by the evidence. Often you will find
that a persons worldview is even more influential to their beliefs
than the evidences, and how strong they hold to their worldview will
determine how motivated they are to actually consider evidences
for other beliefs.
Another word close in meaning to WORLDVIEW is
PHILOSOPHY, or way of thinking. www.thefreedictionary.com gives
two of the definitions for PHILOSOPHY as:
A personal outlook or viewpoint.
Any system of beliefs, values, or tenets.
Any system of beliefs are the ideas we hold as true. A
good phrase to become familiar with is, Beliefs and Ideas have
consequences. Beliefs throughout history have caused great
good or great harm to people affected by those beliefs. Two belief
systems which clearly show this are Nazism and true Christianity.
One of the foundational ideas of Nazism was the elimination of
inferior peoples and the creation of a super race. Two of the
teachings of Christianity are to Love your neighbor as yourself
and Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
One belief system has killed 12 million people, and the other has
been a transformational force in the world for the last 2 thousand
years.
Can you see in these two observations of just these two
belief systems that ideas truly do have consequences? If you can
see these consequences, can you see how important it is to argue,
(in the legal sense), against some ideas and argue to promote other
ideas? This could be why the Bible emphasizes that we be careful
as to what beliefs we choose to accept.
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by
philosophy and empty deceit, according to human
tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world,
and not according to Christ.
A quote from CS Lewis that really seems to apply is:
Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad
philosophy needs to be answered.
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you are living consistent with a Biblical Worldview? You cant, can
you? And if you dont know what a Biblical Worldview is to be able
to live consistent with it then how do you also know that you havent
conformed to a non-Biblical Worldview? As we have seen, ideas
(or philosophies) have consequences. Read Colossians 2:8 again:
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by
philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition,
according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not
according to Christ.
See to it suggests that doing so is very important!
Think of your own life. If you are a Christian and you found
that to live consistent with a Biblical Worldview meant that you
would need to live differently than you do currently, would you be
willing to change how you live? Questions that effectively capture
this idea are,
If we call ourselves followers of Christ, will we make
the Bible flexible to our human reasoning; or will we
make our hearts, lives, and motivations flexible to the
Bible?
As a Christian, should a Biblical Worldview have an
effect on my life; in how I think and what I do?
You may be thinking, But if my lifestyle is the same as
the other Christians I know then doesnt that mean that Im
living as a Christian? Think back to the Barna survey. If only 1
in 200 of those age 18-23 even know what a Biblical worldview is,
isnt it highly probable that you and your Christian friends are part
of the 199 out of 200 who dont know what a Biblical worldview is
and not the 1 in 200 who does? If you are part of the 199 of 200,
how would you ever know you are living as a true Christian
consistent with a Biblical Worldview?
It is easy to forget that most of us live in a sort of bubble. Its
easy to think that if we live like our friends, we are all living
consistent with our shared worldview. If our friends claim to be
Christian and we live like them, we think of ourselves as living
consistent with a Christian worldview. However, even if you are a
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Christian, living like your Christian friends is not the same as living
with a Christian worldview. If you are a Christian, have you ever
questioned the lifestyle you and your friends accept and live? Think
about your non-Christian friends. How does your lifestyle compare
to theirs?
CHRISTIAN VS. NON-CHRISTIAN - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
http://ezinearticles.com/?Christian-VS-Non-Christian---
Whats-the-Difference?&id=3905340
If you and your friends are most likely in the 99% who dont
know what a Biblical Worldview is, wouldnt the moral standard
youve all become comfortable with be one you and your friends
have decided is right by passively accepting it? And remember, is
a standard which you have decided and agreed upon an absolute
standard? No, it is subjective. And isnt this true even if you and
your friends havent actually discussed the standard but have just
accepted it? Think about the idea of a Biblical Worldview. Is a
Biblical Worldview one that is indicated by the Bible or decided by
us? I heard a speaker indicate that many Christian youth act as if
being a Christian is nothing more than buying one of the latest
Christian music CDs, or having a ringtone of a Christian song.
To gain an understanding as to what a Biblical Worldview
actually is and how close your worldview is to a Biblical Worldview,
take the following worldview quizzes.
WORLDVIEW QUIZ Self Test to Determine My Worldview
http://worldviewweekend.com/test/test.php
www.christianet.com/bible/worldview.htm
Something else to consider regarding this. When we invite
Christ to be our Lord, He will convict us of our sin. If you call
yourself a Christian and are living no different than your non-
Christian friends, and you are not feeling any conviction about
aspects of your life which are unpleasing to God, you should really
question whether you have truly accepted Christ, or whether you
have only repeated a phrase.
God knows our thoughts, motivations, actions, and He
especially knows our heart. You can say any phrase you want, but
if your life hasnt changed from before you made a decision to
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accept Him, He is fully aware of the truth. If this describes you, you
should really consider that you may not have truly accepted Him as
your Lord and Savior.
Hopefully you are starting to understand the significance of
having a Biblical Worldview and you are now evaluating your life in
light of the Biblical Worldview. With the information you now have
lets consider those two questions again:
Will we make the Bible flexible to our human reasoning,
or will we make our hearts, lives, and motivations
flexible to the Bible? and Should a Biblical Worldview
have an effect on my life; in how I think and what I do?
WHY THINK OF WORLDVIEWS
www.crossway.org/blog/2014/01/why-think-worldviews
WORLDVIEW & BASIC BELIEFS REVIEW
http://truth4freedom.wordpress.com/modern-society-
engulfing-philosophies/basic-beliefs-and-worldview-review
SUMMIT MINISTRIES WORLDVIEW CHART
www.summit.org/resources/worldview-chart
A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW HAS A RADICAL EFFECT ON A PERSON'S LIFE
www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/131-
a-biblical-worldview-has-a-radical-effect-on-a-
persons-life#.VFct_yLF_E0
WORLDVIEWS IN THE MOVIES
www.worldvieweyes.org/resources/CIY-Conference-
Materials/WVs-in-movies.htm
(A good list of questions to think of when watching
movies, TV, commercials, listening to music, etc.)
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
www.preparetheway.us/Resources/downloads/default.aspx
WORLD MAGAZINE
www.worldmag.com/topic/worldview/
NATURALISM: BUMPING INTO REALITY
www.str.org/Media/Default/Publications/Solid%20Ground%20
9-2014%20Materialis-Bumping%20into%20Reality-1.pdf
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AM I LOSING MY FAITH?
www.westernseminary.edu/transformedblog/2012/08/0
9/am-i-losing-my-faith/
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SITES ON WORLDVIEWS:
http://allaboutworldview.org
www.xenos.org/classes/papers/5wldview.htm
www.summit.org/resources/worldview-chart
www.bibleculture.org/text/worldview/worldview_comparis
on_chart.pdf
www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/christian_worldview/whats
_a_christian_worldview.aspx
www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/christian_worldview
/why_is_a_christian_worldview_important.aspx
www.worldmag.com/topic/worldview/
http://understandingthetimes.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/02/UTT-Worldview-Chart.pdf
HOW SOME POSTMODERN KIDS USED LOGIC IN BERKELEY
www.conversantlife.com/theology/how-some-
postmodern-kids-used-logic-in-berkeley
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3. CHALLENGING STATEMENTS
FOR CHRISTIANS
Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an
extraordinary destiny... C. S Lewis
it is false. This may also bring them to a point where they honestly
consider the teachings of Christianity. If providing a reasoned
answer to a challenge causes the challenger to not make the
challenge further, this can be beneficial even further in that other
Christians who dont know the answers to the challenges are
possibly less likely to be confronted with these challenges. It can
also be beneficial in that there will be fewer non-Christians hearing
these false challenges and then repeating them to others.
It is important when answering challenges that you do so
with an attitude of love and respect. Our Biblical mandate as
Christians requires that we do all we can to reach others and to do
so with love and respect. We are to share truths to correct the
errors of those who repeat these challenges in such a way that does
not disrespect them and doesnt embarrass them for using these
challenges.
I see two important reasons to be respectful and non-
embarrassing to those raising challenges against Christianity. One
reason is because most dont realize that most of these challenges
have been proven false. I believe it is very important that those who
make these statements be given the benefit of the doubt in their
motivations for saying them. It is highly probable that they have
never heard responses to the challenges which show the falsehood
of the claims. If they have never heard an answer to their challenge,
they have never had a reason not to believe the challenge and
repeat it. The second reason is that if we show respect for others
and strive to keep from embarrassing them, they might be willing to
consider our reasons and evidences for what we believe.
Many Christians often avoid challenges because they dont
have answers to the challenge. We also dont want others to see
us as confrontational or defensive. We hesitate to speak up
because we dont want to put ourselves in a position where we can
be embarrassed because of our inability to accurately defend what
we believe. As well, we avoid challenges because we want to avoid
the possibility of embarrassing others. Weve all heard about
situations where Christians have been confrontational, defensive,
or lacking in answers and have put Christianity in a negative light
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* THERE IS NO TRUTH
As indicated earlier, the statement There is no truth
infers that we cant know anything with any real confidence. If we
cant be sure about anything, we cant be sure about Christianity,
the existence of God, etc.
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Here are the questions to ask when presented with those earlier
self-contradictory statements:
We should doubt everything!
A) Should we doubt this statement?
We cant know the truth about reality.
A) How can they know that they know this?
Note: If you can't know the truth about reality, you could
never make this statement.
True for you but not for me.
A) Is this statement true for you but not for me?
Or is true for me and not for you?
Truth statements must either be analytic or empirically
verified.
A) Can this statement be either analytically or empirically
verified?
We must deconstruct all truths.
A) Should we deconstruct this truth?
Truth is always changing.
A) Is this truth always changing?
as truth, then they are not accepting of the beliefs of the Christian
holds as true, are they? If they dont accept as truth what the
Christian believes as truth, arent they then being intolerant,
according to their definition of intolerant? The statement shows that
they are doing the exact thing they are criticizing Christians for.
Have you ever heard a Christian say that a person of
another belief shouldnt be so intolerant just because they believe
different than the Christian? Ive never heard a Christian say this.
When you think about it, doesnt everyone have a belief they
accept? By the cultures definition of intolerance, any two people
who have contradictory beliefs are automatically intolerant of each
other. If anything, Christians are the ones showing TOLERANCE,
because we allow all beliefs. We just dont consider beliefs that
are contradictory as TRUE. This fulfills the definition of tolerance.
The person stating that Christians need to stop being
intolerant really believes that Christians shouldnt share their
belief. After all, they wouldnt say it if they didnt believe it. So, can
you see how the person saying it is trying to impose their belief on
the Christian, that the Christian shouldnt share their Christian
belief? The statement is self-contradictory because the person
stating that Christians need to stop being intolerant is
demonstrating an intolerance to the beliefs of Christians. The
person making the statement is demonstrating a misunderstanding
of the word INTOLERANT.
When a person claims that you are intolerant, they do so
because they are offended that you think you are right. As we have
seen, the truth in this situation is that they think they are right too,
otherwise they wouldnt criticize you, would they? Greg Koukl of
Stand To Reason (www.str.org) uses the following conversation
example to demonstrate how to respond to someone claiming that
you are intolerant. This should effectively show them that they are
the ones actually demonstrating intolerance.
Challenger: Youre intolerant!
You: Can you tell me what you mean by that? Why would
you consider me an intolerant person?
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Greg Koukl also indicates that when asked for your opinion
about a controversial subject when in a conversation with someone
hostile to Christianity, you can be labeled intolerant if your response
is not given skillfully.
He recommends that you not give your answer without first
asking a few questions. The questions will then provide you the
ability to offer your answer without being cornered by the person
asking you your opinion.
The following conversation example shows this technique
and is taken from the article at the following link. Greg was
asked by a friend how she might to respond to her boss, who
had asked her point of view about homosexuality. The boss of
the friend was a lesbian. Greg was able to give her the excellent
counsel indicated in the article.
www.str.org/blog/how-to-defuse-the-accusation-of-intolerance
www.str.org/articles/how-to-get-out-of-a-corner-2
(longer version of the same article)
If youre placed in a situation where you suspect your
convictions will cause you to be labeled intolerant, bigoted,
narrow-minded, or judgmental, then turn the tables. When
someone asks for your personal views about a moral issue,
preface your remarks with a question.
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they undoubtedly believe it. And if they make the statement, do you
think they are reasonably confident in their belief that it is true? Do
you think they are any less confident about their belief that all roads
lead to God than the confidence you have that there is only one way
to God? Greg Koukl points out that anyone who makes the claim
is doing so because they believe what they are claiming.
The statement also doesnt work when looked at logically.
A similar statement sometimes made to convey the same meaning
is, All roads lead to Rome. When you think about it though, do
all roads lead to Rome? If you get on the 405, or Interstate 5, or
any other road here in California or any road in the rest of the
country, could you get to Rome? Of course not. The person making
the statement All roads lead to God is claiming that they know
what God requires to get into heaven, and that God will allow
anyone into heaven who makes any attempt to reach Him. Doesnt
this sound like a very brave claim?
While the statement infers that God will provide anyone
salvation, as long as they are sincere in whatever belief they have,
it certainly doesnt fit the Biblical message of salvation.
There is another way to consider the claim All roads lead to
God that is consistent with the teachings of the Bible. This is not
the way a person making the statement means it though.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what
is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or
evil.
Romans 14:10-12 Why do you pass judgment on your
brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For WE
WILL ALL STAND before the judgment seat of God; for it is
written,
As I live, says the Lord, EVERY KNEE shall bow to me,
and EVERY TONGUE shall confess to God.
So then EACH OF US will give an account of himself to God.
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true that we dont have all knowledge and that not having all
knowledge it seems fair to apply the proverb. But is the proverb
accurate when used about different beliefs, particularly
Christianity? And is it reasonable for someone to use it about
Christians?
When a person uses this illustration to argue against
Christian teachings, we must keep in mind that the person using it
doesnt have all knowledge either. Using the illustration, they are
implying that the reason Christians shouldnt share their convictions
is because Christians dont have all knowledge, because no one
has all knowledge. But since they are proposing the proverb arent
they inferring that they DO have all knowledge? Arent they inferring
that they have full knowledge and can see that everyone else,
particularly Christians, only have a limited perspective and limited
knowledge. Using this proverb, they are actually believing
themselves to be in the position of the wise man who has all the
facts, while also claiming that no one has all the facts.
That is why it is self-contradictory for someone to use this
proverb against a Christians claims of truth. They are saying that
THEY HAVE ALL KNOWLEDGE TO KNOW THAT NO ONE HAS ALL KNOWLEDGE. If no
one can have all knowledge, then they cant have all knowledge to
know that no one has all knowledge. The other detail not
considered, is that the God of the Universe does have all
knowledge, and if He truly has communicated truths and proven
himself true, we can rely on his information even if we dont know
everything. Since God has revealed himself both through
supernatural evidences and in the Bible, we can know things that
we wouldnt otherwise be able to know through our limited
perspectives. Youll see these evidences in the EVIDENCES FOR
CHRISTIANITY section.
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Christians are judging other beliefs as NOT THE TRUTH. (see the
section on TRUTH, and the following YouTube video:
LAW OF NON CONTRADICTION
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWVzHOhGSC0
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* REVISIONIST HISTORY
A non-question challenge to Christianity and related to
some of the misinformation we have already looked at is what is
called HISTORICAL REVISIONISM. Historical Revisionism is the
revising of the historical record about the past so that people will
believe a certain way or believe certain information in the present
and in the future. This can be done either by changing the details
and facts of the historical record, or by leaving out critical details.
This revisionism can influence a person to accept or reject ideas
and/or practices they would feel the opposite about before their
exposure to the revisionist information.
One example of a claim an increasing number of people
make because of Historical Revisionism is that the United States
was not founded on the principles of the Bible, and Judeo-Christian
principals. If this is what many uninformed people have been
convinced is true, then their perspective will be that Christians have
no right to object when we see growing percentages of the country
embracing non-Christian values.
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HISTORICAL REVISIONISM
WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF HISTORICAL REVISIONISM?
www.probe.org/what-are-some-examples-of-historical-
revisionism
WHO DO YOU BELIEVE, THE REVISIONISTS OR THE FOUNDING FATHERS?
www.revolutionarywararchives.org/revisionist.html
THE FOUNDING FATHERS: FAITH OR FICTION?
http://god-and-logic.blogspot.com/2010/04/founding-fathers-
faith-or-fiction.html
RELIGIOUS FOUNDERS? READ THEIR WRITINGS
www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=161
WAS GEORGE WASHINGTON A CHRISTIAN?
www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=127
THE BULLET PROOF PRESIDENTGEORGE WASHINGTON
https://hitchhikeamerica.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/the-bullet-
proof-president-george-washington/
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS AND THE BIBLE
https://loopyloo305.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/feb-21-jqa-
the-bible
CONFRONTING CIVIL WAR REVISIONISM: WHY THE SOUTH WENT TO
WAR
www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=92
IS PRESIDENT OBAMA CORRECT: IS AMERICA NO LONGER A
CHRISTIAN NATION?
www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=23909
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EDUCATIONAL REVISIONSIM
HISTORIC FAIL? GREATEST AMERICANS MISSING FROM PROPOSED CURRICULUM
www.foxnews.com/us/2014/08/07/historic-fail-greatest-
americans-missing-from-proposed-curriculum
AP DOWNGRADES HISTORY
www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3201737/posts
MY COMMENTS ON THE U.S. HISTORY STANDARDS
www.facebook.com/notes/marjorie-holsten/my-comments-on-
the-us-history-standards-please-help-me-keep-this-from-
becoming-t/226981890650639
COMMENTS ON US HISTORY STANDARDS FROM AN ATTORNEY AND
TEACHER OF THE CONSTITUTION
http://edlibertywatch.org/2011/05/403
STUDENTS WALK OUT OF CLASS - PROTEST SCHOOL REWRITING
OF HISTORY: "YOU CAN'T CHANGE HISTORY"
http://freedomoutpost.com/2014/09/students-walk-class-protest-
school-rewriting-history-cant-change-history
REVISIONISM: HOW TO IDENTIFY IT IN YOUR CHILDREN'S TEXTBOOKS
www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=112
COLORADO TRIES TO FOLLOW TEXAS & STOP APUSH, LEFT
HIJACKS NARRATIVE OVER PATRIOTISM.
www.breitbart.com/texas/2014/09/27/colorado-tries-to-follow-
texas-stop-apush-left-hijacks-narrative-over-patriotism
WHY THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM TEACHES REVISIONIST HISTORY
http://westernconservatory.com/articles/why-public-school-system-
teaches-revisionist-history
PROMOTING ISLAM
ISLAM, ANTI-SEMITISM SNEAK INTO TENNESSEE TEXTBOOKS
http://political-conservatives.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-are-
we-doing-with-our-education.html
ISLAM IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL
www.wnd.com/2014/01/islam-in-a-public-school
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major factor in how they view the evidence. If you have not read
that section yet, I encourage you to do so.
Apologetics is effective not only because of evidences, but
also in how you present the evidences as well as the character we
convey. The reason the presentation of the evidences is so
important, is because evidences can sometimes be presented in
two different ways. As indicated in the WORLDVIEW section, the
same evidence will be used to support both of the opposite sides of
an issue.
One example of the same evidence being used to support
two different positions is with Evolution and Creation. Some of the
evidences are the strata layers in geologic formations and the
fossils found in the strata layers. Evolutionists present the evidence
of strata layers in geologic formations in such a way that they
support long time frames necessary for Evolution. Creationists
present strata layers in geologic formations in such a way that they
support the layers forming quickly and trapping organisms quickly
as evidence of a global flood.
The following sections websites show the same evidence
being used to support two opposite positions. We have THE SAME
EVIDENCE but TWO DIFFERENT EXPLANATIONS with TWO DIFFERENT
CONCLUSIONS.
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They are sincere in their belief that there isnt any cross traffic, but
they dont see everything, are sincerely wrong, and they cause an
accident, and possibly the injury or death of another or themselves.
The truth isnt determined by their sincerity.
Magic is an example of something showing that we can
sincerely believe that we saw something happen, and at the same
time knowing full well that what we see couldnt happen as we see
it presented. Thats part of the appeal of magic. We dont believe
that the magician can fool us and we feel amazed that they were
able to. When we learn how a trick is performed, (learning the
evidence), the trick loses its intrigue, but all the details make sense.
Christianity is an example of something some can sincerely
disbelieve, because of the misinformation they believe about it. And
they can confidently disbelieve Christianity without ever having any
knowledge that any of the misinformation they believe as fact is
actually wrong. Since theyve only seen information challenging the
truth of Christianity and theyve not seen anyone respond to the
challenges, they have no reasons to believe differently. Why would
they believe that there is any truth to Christianity if the only
information they know of it is wrong, and they dont know the
information they believe as fact is wrong?
With magic, everyone knows there are hidden details which
make the illusion possible. With Christianity, those who dont
believe there are evidences proving Christianity have no reason to
consider that any supporting details might exist, and so they DONT
KNOW about any of the evidences supporting the truths of
Christianity. This is where our ability to effectively present these
evidences comes in.
When you are able to effectively provide and present
evidences for Christianity to someone who has questions or doubts,
you demonstrate the truths of Christianity and eliminate doubts they
have. Learning the truths of Christianity doesnt guarantee that a
person will then accept Christianity but it may bring them to the point
where they are open to considering Christianity as actually worth
considering.
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for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
Notice that the end of the verse emphasizes with gentleness and
respect.
Again, our task is not to embarrass another or put them in
their place and win an argument, (the non-legal type of argument).
Our task is to win their heart for Christ, to provide them with reasons
to consider and possibly choose to accept Christ, and His offer of
salvation and eternal life. It is important to remember that people
who have beliefs contradictory to Christianity often hold to these
beliefs as strongly as we hold to what we believe. They SINCERELY
BELIEVE what they believe just as you sincerely believe what you
believe. Remember however, sincerity is not the same as truth.
As mentioned previously, think about the evidences you
would need to see to abandon what you believe. Do you
understand now why a person may not immediately accept
Christianity when they first start to learn about the evidences
confirming the truths of Christianity? It may take them time to
consider this new information especially in light of their current
beliefs. That is why the most important task is to show where the
evidence leads, and to do so with gentleness and respect.
You may have heard the saying, A person doesnt care
how much you know till they know how much you care. If
those with whom we share the truths of Christianity feel that were
just trying to win a debate or argument, just trying to add a mark to
a scorecard, do you think they will believe that we sincerely care
about where they spend eternity?
Another saying you may have heard, A person convinced
against their will is of the same opinion still. You can win the
immediate argument and effectively silence someone with your
knowledge but in the end turn them off to considering Christianity.
If people we talk with believe we dont respect that they have beliefs
they hold as true, because weve made fun of or light of what they
believe, we lose any credibility with them.
And like the saying I mentioned earlier, It only takes one
oops to wipe out a whole bunch of great job!s Any comment
giving that person the idea that we dont respect what they believe
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is true will eliminate any good impressions they might have had of
us previously, and virtually eliminate them considering what we
believe.
A good friend of mine was a police officer for 25 years. Early
in his career I shared with him about Christ and Christianity, but
without most of the evidences I know now. After a number of my
SHARING EFFORTS he strongly insisted that he did not want me to
talk to him anymore about Christianity. He stated that he would find
out the truth on his own. Being that he was 61 and weighed about
230 pounds, he was very convincing visually in his request for me
to stop sharing my beliefs with him. As if some police officers arent
already VISUALLY CONVINCING.
Some months after the last time I had tried to share the
message of Salvation with him, while still early in his career as a
police officer, he found himself at the point of committing suicide.
In his police work, he had witnessed pretty horrific things and he did
not feel that he could take it anymore nor the images his memory
reminded him of. He told me that at the point he was about to pull
the trigger, he was stopped by the realization that committing
suicide wasnt what God wanted for his life. He believed this
because even though he hadn't accepted Christs gift up to that
point, he still believed in God.
Something to realize is that a belief in God doesnt mean
one has accepted Christs gift of salvation. This is confirmed by the
Bible in James 2:19:
James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even
the demons believe-and shudder!
This verse shows that belief in God doesnt equate to having
accepted Christs sacrificial gift. You see, demons believe in God,
even though they will never be able to accept Christs priceless gift
of salvation.
Two of the officers my friend worked with were Christians,
and they had been sharing evidences for Christianity with him.
They shared with him prophesies from the Old Testament about a
Christ to come and showed how these prophesies were fulfilled by
Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The day after my friend almost
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pulled the trigger and then came to his senses, these officers led
him to make the choice to accept Christ as his savior, saving his life
and confirming his eternal destiny. I truly believe it was because
these officers had showed my friend evidences that he did not kill
himself.
As Christians, it is easy to come to the mistaken conclusion
that since we have accepted Christ there is something special about
us. Some Christians may even think they did something to deserve
salvation. Remember, the ONLY THING that makes us different
from those who havent accepted Christs payment on the cross for
our sin is just that. They havent chosen to accept Christs payment
for their sin, and we have. Absolutely nothing else!
The truth we frequently forget is that none of us deserve
salvation, are worthy of salvation, or ever could be. There is
absolutely nothing better, holier, more deserving, or worthier about
one who has chosen to accept Christs sacrifice as compared to a
person who hasnt chosen to. The gift of Christ's payment for our
sin by dying on the cross is exactly that, a GIFT. Jesus did
everything to provide this gift. We have done nothing to deserve
His GIFT, nor is there anything we can do to EARN this gift.
Once again, think back to what I wrote about a GIFT in the
SELF-CHECK section. Can you earn a gift? If you could EARN it,
it wouldnt be a gift, would it? You cant earn a gift. Since what
Christ offers is a free gift being that Christ has done all the work
by his sacrifice on the cross to pay for our sin - there is NOTHING we
can do to take any credit for our salvation. There is NOTHING that
we can point to in ourselves that makes us deserving of this gift.
The ONLY thing we can point to as the reason we have eternal life
is what Christ accomplished on the cross, NOTHING ELSE, because
he did everything! Remember, it is a free gift. The only thing we
can do is either accept His gift or reject His gift.
REALITY PAUL WASHER SERMON JAM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygf3MWEbd3w
In the next section we will look at some of the numerous
evidences that exist for Christianity as a defense of the claims of
Christianity. Once again, APOLOGETICS is giving a defense for what
one believes. Giving a defense for the claims of Christianity is
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So, what kind of witness will you choose to be? Even if your
witness did not convert a committed non-Christian, wouldnt you like
to create the same reaction in those you communicate with as that
of Atheist Thomas Nagel? Remember his comment?
I want atheism to be true and I am made uneasy by
the fact that some of the most intelligent and well-
informed people I know are religious believers.
Again, what kind of witness for Christ will you choose to be?
WHEN KIDS QUESTION THEIR FAITH
www.conversantlife.com/belief/when-kids-question-their-
faith-part-1
www.conversantlife.com/belief/when-kids-question-their-
faith-part-2
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the obvious contradiction here. Only one of these two beliefs can
be OBJECTIVELY TRUE. Oh, and a person living like God doesnt
exist is not the same (subjective) as God truly not existing
(objective).
God exists or doesn't exist, because He does or doesn't
exist (objective), not because people choose to believe or not
believe in His existence (subjective). So you see, TRUTH is not
based on the strength of a persons BELIEF.
IS TRUTH KNOWABLE? - Frank Turek
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNuULwwSMzg
DOES TRUTH EXIST - IS IT KNOWABLE? - PT. 1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=APwu8c9JLXQ
Sites on Truth: www.knowtruth.com/truth
www.letusreason.org/Apolo1.htm
www.gotquestions.org/absolute-truth.html
www.allabouthow.com/is-there-absolute-truth.htm
http://coldcasechristianity.com/?s=truth
http://pleaseconvinceme.com/?s=truth
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES - Greg Koukl
http://server.firefighters.org/catalog/1999-2000/00925.mp3
WHY THE CORRESPONDENCE THEORY OF TRUTH IS SUPERIOR
http://clearlens.org/2013/03/23/why-the-correspondence-
theory-of-truth-is-superior
THE USUAL SUSPECTS- RESPONSES TO "NOTABLE" SKEPTICS
http://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2009/07/usual-suspects-
responses-to-notable.html
THINKING CLEARLY - Greg Koukl - 4 part series
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcLIDtrKzpg&list=PLGzZYVI
D5fAHoXiLf_l16gUtc4dToNEOu
This is a great comprehensive series on thinking
clearly and logically!
A BASIC LOGIC PRIMER
www.apologetics315.com/2009/05/basic-logic-primer.html
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STRAIGHT THINKING
www.reasons.org/explore/type/straight-thinking
COUNTER CULTURE NIGHT - TRUTH OR TRAGEDY?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO7Aa08GQpI
COUNTER CULTURE NIGHT - TRUTH OR TRAGEDY Q&A
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxeiaZWlrBM Q&A
THE NATURE OF TRUTH
http://trinityclassicalacademy.com/wp-
content/uploads/2013/11/HANDOUTS_The-Nature-of-
Truth.pdf
* GOD
Now that we have a better understanding of OBJECTIVE
TRUTH and can see that objective truth exists, we can apply this
understanding to the different beliefs about God(s).
Some of the major beliefs about God are: 1) There is one
God, 2) There are many gods, 3) There is no god, or 4) Everything
is god. The following link will give you much greater detail about
the options.
FOUR MAIN BELIEFS ABOUT THE NATURE OF GOD
www.religioustolerance.org/tran_imm.htm
Whichever teaching about God or gods is true, any
contradictory belief or teaching to the true teaching is automatically
false. Can you see that whichever belief is true the other beliefs
are automatically false? If there truly is no God then the teaching
of ONE GOD, MANY GODS, or EVERYTHING IS GOD are automatically
false. The same is true for any of the other beliefs about God.
Consider the existence of the Universe. The three major
possibilities for the existence of the Universe are:
1. It has always existed
2. It created itself
3. It was brought into existence by a being outside of time,
space, and matter.
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Einstein was one of the scientists within the last 100 years
who proved conclusively that the Universe (TIME, SPACE, MATTER),
had an origination point at sometime in the past. Einstein proved
that the Universe had a beginning at some point in the past, and so
it cant have always existed. So the first option, that THE UNIVERSE
HAS ALWAYS EXISTED, that it is eternal, HAS BEEN DISPROVED.
The links below will give you the reasons and evidences for
the Universe not having always existed.
IS THE UNIVERSE ETERNAL?
www.gotquestions.org/Universe-eternal.html
THE UNIVERSE IS NOT ETERNAL, BUT HAD A BEGINNING
www.godandscience.org/apologetics/beginning.html
ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE Quotes from well-known scientists
www.veritas-ucsb.org/library/origins/quotes/Universe.html
miles from the sun, the diameter of the orbit of Juipiter around the
sun is double that, or almost 1 billion, 1,000,000,000 miles in
diameter! VY Canis Majoris is 1,228,000,000 miles in diameter! It
is so huge that if placed at the center of our galaxy it would swallow
up every planet closer to the sun than Saturn!
Now think about the Law of Cause and Effect again. What
kind of mass and energy would be necessary to bring into existence
a star of this magnitude? Even this is almost impossible to
comprehend. And remember, VY Canis Majoris is only one star out
of approximately 100 billion stars in only one of 100 billion galaxies!
Only one star among 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars!
MIND BLOWING! EARTH COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE UNIVERSE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Eh5BpSnBBw
SCALE OF EARTH, SUN, RIGEL, AND VY CANIS MAJORIS
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8CgDGhYKe8
THE LARGEST STAR - VY CANIS MAJORIS
www.youtube.com/watch?v=smmNP8G69vc
Up until recently VY Canis Majoris was the largest known
star in the Milky Way galaxy. Another star has taken its place now
as the largest star discovered. It is UY Scuti. Remember that VY
Canis Majoris is 1,228,000,000 miles in diameter. UY Scuti is
1,500,000,000 miles in diameter! 1,000,000 Earths could fit inside
our own sun and UY Scuti is 5 billion times larger than our sun! That
means that 5 billion times 1 million Earths could fit inside UY Scuti!
Now think about the Law of Cause and Effect again. Are you
starting to get the idea how incredible the cause of this must be?
LIST OF BIG STARS-FROM OUR SUN TO UY-SCUTI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMWMtLGGg6o
SUN COMPARED TO UY SCUTI - ZOOM OUT
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7766bCYMa0
THE LIGHT OF OTHER SUNS
www.youtube.com/watch?t=57&v=RN8_vwVOoHg
www.rhysy.net/other-suns.html
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This first verse indicates that the God of the Bible is more
powerful than the entire Universe (time, space, and matter), and
also existing outside the Universe (time, space, and matter), 100
billion galaxies of 100 billion stars each. This description of the
Biblical God is fully compatible with science and shows that the
Bible was scientifically accurate on the origin of the Universe 3500
years in advance of this confirmation by modern science.
Think now about just this information on the incredible size
of the Universe.
1. It is comprised of an estimated 100 billion galaxies with an
average 100 billion stars each.
2. The Law of Cause and Effect mandates that with any
EFFECT, the CAUSE OF THE EFFECT MUST BE GREATER THAN
THE EFFECT. With the Universe being the EFFECT in this
case, the CAUSE of this universe coming into existence must
be greater than the Universe!
Do you have a new and far greater perspective on God than
you had previously to reading this section? Or asked another way,
how big was your God and how big is your God now?
GOD OF WONDERS www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvVt4lDSPeY
If you dont believe in the existence of God, does this mean
that you have to accept it now? No. but you are left trying to explain
where everything came from. Greg Koukl makes an effective
observation about this in his article and video presentations at the
following links, which are also included in the Worldview section,
The Nothing-Caused-the-Universe option is worse
than magic. In magic, a magician pulls a rabbit out of a
hat. In this case, though, theres no hatand no
magician. Theres just a rabbit (the universe, in our
case) appearing out of nowhere.
NATURALISM: BUMPING INTO REALITY
www.str.org/Media/Default/Publications/Solid%20Ground%209
-2014%20Materialis-Bumping%20into%20Reality-1.pdf
NATURALISM: BUMPING INTO REALITY - Greg Koukls video presentation
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgoOBUQE_OA
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same type of young outdoor plant and grow one inside a house
where the environment is comfortable to the plant and grow the
other outside forcing it to bear the elements. After months of
growth, place the plant grown in the house outdoors to grow with
the other plant which has been outside the entire time. What you
will find is that the plant that has only grown inside will not grow
well and might even die while the plant that has already been
growing outside does just fine and continues to grow larger. The
plant that has grown outside the entire time has developed a
stronger structure because of the harsher circumstances it has had
to endure. People are very similar in this respect.
Something else to consider when thinking about the
qualities God is developing in us. Think about those you know who
have been given things theyve not had to work for. Havent you
noticed that they dont appreciate as much what theyve not had to
work for as compared to those who have had to work for what they
have? Its human nature to value something that has cost us
something and see less value in something that has cost us
nothing, that we havent worked for and have nothing invested in.
Have you ever heard someone say of another, They are not
invested in the situation? We place a much higher value on
those things that require an investment of something we value,
whether time, money, effort.
Its the same with the desirable characteristics God wants
us to acquire. We wouldnt value them if we didnt have to invest
effort, and since this seems to be the way God has provided for
their development, it is probable that only through difficult
situations is the development of these characteristics even
possible. Isnt it worth it though? Think about your closest friends.
Dont they have characteristics that you admire? Isnt your
relationship with them closer because of these valued
characteristics they demonstrate? This is why God wants to do
the same work in us, so that we will have that same close
relationship with Him, having developed those characteristics of
value to Him.
The limitation in all of this though is that since these
characteristics are developed through work, difficulty, pain, and
discomfort, we only have this life to develop them for God. Once
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we pass from this life we will never again have the opportunity to
develop these characteristics further, except for THANKFULNESS.
And one last reason for difficulties in our lives. Have you
ever thought as to why some Christians seem to experience
difficulty and others lives seem to be free of most difficulties? If
you were Satan, would you harass those not doing much for God,
or would you harass those who are doing great works for God? It
should be obvious. Satan is only going to spend time harassing
those individuals who are being effectively used by God. If you are
not experiencing much in the way of pain and difficulty in your life,
could it be that you are no threat to Satan?
1 Peter 2:20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are
harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you
do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this
finds favor with God.
2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I am well content with
weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions,
with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I
am strong.
23 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT SUFFERING FOR CHRIST'S SAKE
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Suffering-For-Christ~s-Sake
a=X&ved=0ahUKEwiGuaPTu4PKAhVOwGMKHUrcA9Q
QuwUIITAA#v=onepage&q=%22cries%20of%20the%20
heart%22&f=false
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this really speculation on his part, and isnt this also an assumption
as to what is right and wrong, (subjective)? And as an Atheist, isnt
this an assumption by Michael Shermer?
OBJECTIVE MORALITY | CROSS EXAMINATION | EP. 6
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvxJVkcK6aM
OBJECTIVE MORALITY 2 | CROSS EXAMINATION | EP. 7
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfARUVDSXjE
Check the other great CROSS EXAMINATION videos on YouTube!
Begin with this one below and find others in the series in the
column at the right.
INTELLIGENT DESIGN | CROSS EXAMINATION | EP. 1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aW5wnlqxqM
As we have already seen in Jeremiah, the Bible states
that we know that EVIL and RIGHT AND WRONG exist previous to us
ever being told.
Jeremiah 31:33 I will put my law in their minds and
write it on their hearts.
Children quite early in life demonstrate this knowledge of
right and wrong through their actions and statements. Some of the
statements Ive heard from children are, He hit me! and She
took my toy! The child of a friend of my wife and I actually made
the following comment about her brother when they were in their
car driving, Hes looking out my window!
GROUNDING MORALITY - Greg Koukl
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz6HBn1ZwK0
MORALITY FROM SCIENCE? - Greg Koukl
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rw4MLqGuvc
OBJECTIVE MORALITY - Greg Koukl
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki5YVNwJR9c
IS THERE AN OBJECTIVE MORAL LAW? - Frank Turek
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOJeseNJneg
WHY MORALITY MUST BE OBJECTIVE
http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2014/10/why-
morality-must-be-objective.html
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if the Universe was eternal, wouldnt the same be true of the gravity
or quantum physics lasting forever? If the Universe could come
about with only gravity or quantum physics, wouldnt the Universe
come into existence a long long time ago, and have already have
wound down? If gravity and quantum physics havent existed for
all eternity and came into existence at some time, then wouldnt
they be subject to the law of cause and effect? If so, there would
need to be an uncaused cause for gravity and quantum physics.
John Lennox illustrates a major problem with this
Gravity/Quantum Physics theory using the illustration of a JET
ENGINE in the link below. He states that the laws of physics can
describe HOW a jet engine works but it doesnt answer WHY the jet
engine exists. He adds that LAWS may be able to answer the HOW
question dealing with function but they can't describe WHY the jet
engine was invented. John Lennox indicates that even with
physics and the inventors mind you still need matter. He states,
Matter is humble stuff, but it cannot be produced by laws".
I believe John Lennox also made the following quote which
provides an additional clarification of this idea, Science nor
scientific theory didn't, in fact couldn't have brought the
Universe into existence. The sun rises in the east and sets in
the west, but science can't cause the movement of the sun.
When considering the evidence that the Universe had a
beginning and then looking at the two options that there is a God
or there is no God, which option is more logical to believe?
Remember, dont choose based upon what is more popular or
what you might really want or prefer. Choose the most logical
conclusion based on the evidence.
A MATTER OF GRAVITY - Prof John Lennox
This answers the challenge of Stephen Hawking
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xy4gMVlUCE
BETHINKING 2/6: JOHN LENNOX ON STEPHEN HAWKING'S "THE GRAND DESIGN"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eHfhbP1K_4
WHY DO SOME PHYSICISTS TALK NONSENSE ABOUT NOTHING?
http://maverickphilosopher.typepad.com/maverick_philoso
pher/2012/01/why-do-physicists-talk-nonsense.html
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* THE BIBLE
As previously indicated, the Bible is one of over 20 religious
works claimed to be inspired by God. There are the Hindu Vedas,
the Quran, the Book of Mormon, etc. If the evidence proves the
Bible as actually being from God then any other religious book
which contradicts the Bibles teachings is automatically false and
not from God.
Bank tellers are trained using a very exacting method
enabling them to quickly spot most forgeries. This very exacting
method is simply the extensive physical handling of authentic
currency. They handle so much authentic currency that they
become VERY familiar with it; with its feel, thickness, smell, sound,
bendability, etc. They become so familiar with the authentic that
when a bill which is a forgery simply passes over their fingertips,
the teller knows almost immediately that something about the
forgery is different from the authentic. They dont need to be
trained in all the different forgery techniques, they just need to be
VERY familiar with the authentic.
www.bankersonline.com/security/gurus_sec1001d.html
This is why in this guide we will primarily look at the
evidences for the Bible and not so much the specific challenges to
the bible, nor specific differences between Christianity and most
other religions. The exception to this are the religions indicated in
the subsection CHALLENGES FROM OTHER RELIGIONS. I indicate the
reasons for including them there.
Similar to truth being applied in the previous examples, if
the Bible is proven to be from God then any other book claiming to
be from God and contradicting the Bible is automatically false. We
then only need to be accurately educated on the Bible to detect
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The evidences for Bible being from God which we will briefly
examine are in four areas:
1. ARCHEOLOGICAL EVIDENCES: The accuracy of history, places,
and people indicated. Does the findings of archeology confirm
or contradict?
2. PROPHESY AND STATISTICS: The probability of predicting the
future, with very specific details. What are the odds?
3. MANUSCRIPT EVIDENCE: The evidence for the credibility of the
original documents and the consistency of those documents
with each other. How close to the original manuscripts are our
current Bibles?
4. SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCES: The scientific accuracy of historical
writings. Verifiable scientific principals are indicated and
scientific concepts are described accurately well in advance of
them being discovered through more modern scientific
observations.
HOW ACCURATE IS THE BIBLE?
https://bible.org/article/how-accurate-bible
IS THE BIBLE FACT OR FICTION? Josh McDowell
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvNdqyrOVls
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* PROPHETIC EVIDENCE:
As has been indicated previously, there are over 20
religious works considered by different people to be divinely
inspired. Of these 20+ religious works only the Bible contains
specific fulfilled prophecies. The Bible indicates an estimated
2500 prophesies with 2000 having been confirmed as fulfilled so
far, and no prophesy has been proven wrong by any archeological
discovery. The other approximately 500 prophesies speak of
events to take place in the future, which is why they havent been
fulfilled yet. In the later section on Jesus there are listed some of
the over 300 prophesies about Christ which were written in the Old
Testament.
The amazing fact about the specific prophesies of the Bible
is not just that the Bible is the only religious volume containing
specific fulfilled prophesies, but that all of these specific
prophesies were written hundreds and sometimes thousands of
years before they were fulfilled! And again, these prophesies were
not generic but they were very specific and detailed. There is no
other book like the Bible, which has been confirmed by fulfilled
prophetic evidence as proof of being from God.
Of course, if God is outside of time then He knows
everything that will happen at any point in time. God will know any
event that happens in the future and the prophesies will be 100%
fulfilled. The accuracy of very detailed prophecies and evidence
of these prophesies being written hundreds and thousands of
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years before they were fulfilled prove that the Bible could have only
come from a being who is outside of time. God is outside of time
and has given the fulfilled prophesies as one proof of His
existence!
Fulfilled Prophecy as Evidence for the Bible's Divine Origin
www.faithfacts.org/search-for-truth/maps/fulfilled-
prophecy-as-evidence
Fulfilled Prophecy: Evidence for the Reliability of
the Bible
www.reasons.org/articles/articles/fulfilled-prophecy-evidence-
for-the-reliability-of-the-bible
ADDITIONAL SITES SHOWING FULFILLED BIBLE PROPHESIES
www.100prophecies.org
http://bibleprobe.com/365messianicprophecies.htm
https://carm.org/prophecy-bible-and-jesus
Now compare the details of prophesies listed in the Quran
ISLAMIC PROPHESIES
www.alislam.org/library/articles/prophecies.html
www.islamreligion.com/articles/347
www.nairaland.com/225114/fulfilled-prophecies-holy-quran
http://worldview3.50webs.com/quranvbible.html
* MANUSCRIPT EVIDENCES:
Manuscript evidence deals with how accurate the oldest
manuscripts are to the original documents and to the documents
we have currently, called SOURCE DOCUMENTS. Manuscript
evidence also relates to how many of the source documents there
are, and the length of time between the manuscripts and source
documents.
As you would guess, the closer the copies to the original
manuscripts, the more accurate the copies. And the greater the
number of copies, the the easier they can be compared to each
other for accuracy.
The following chart illustrates these details as they apply to
both many unquestioned documents from ancient history, and also
to the New Testament documents. The chart shows the specifics
of each of the documents listed, and also allows for a comparison
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ATOMIC STRUCTURE:
Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the Universe was
created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out
of things that are visible.
This is an accurate description of the atomic structure of
matter, and was written 2000 years ago. The electron microscope,
necessary to view a molecule or atom, wasnt invented until 1930.
www.inplainsite.org/html/scientific_facts_in_the_bible.html
(In the Earth section)
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Until the invention of the telescope, this verse was probably a point
of ridicule against those believing the Bible.
Jeremiah was written between 630 and 580BC. This was
2500 years ago and 2000 years before telescopes could give
modern science the tools to learn about the actual number of stars.
Check out the Hubble Extreme Deep Field in the next link and read
the description as well as the area of sky the picture represents.
Click any of the Image Formats in the right column for much larger
versions of the pictures. When looking at the pictures remember
that each spec of light in the picture is not a star but an entire
distant galaxy containing an estimated 100 billion stars!
THE HUBBLE EXTREME DEEP FIELD
www.spacetelescope.org/images/heic1214b
In 2014, scientists made a 3D model of the Ultra Deep Field:
THE HUBBLE ULTRA DEEP FIELD IN 3D
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAVjF_7ensg
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WATER EVAPORATION:
Job 36:27 He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain
to the streams
We usually look at water on the ground as drying and not
what it is actually doing, evaporating. Nils Wallerius 1706-1764
was a Swedish physicist, philosopher and theologian. He was one
of the first scientists to study and document the characteristics of
evaporation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nils_Wallerius
GENETIC CLASSIFICATION:
Genesis 1:21-31 v21 So God created . . . and every living thing
. . . according to their kinds, and every winged bird according
to its kind. v24 . . . according to their kinds . . . each
according to its kind. v25 God made the wild animals
according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds,
and all the creatures that move along the ground according to
their kinds.
This is a verse that speaks against the theory yes theory
and not fact of evolution. If the God of the Bible exists, who
knows everything, and the Bible is His revelation to us, and He
knows that all things are created according their own kinds, we
can have confidence in this verse.
The mule is a confirmation of this. The mule came about
because of the desire to have a work animal which had the positive
characteristics of both the horse and the donkey. This mule is the
resultant animal of the female horse and a male donkey. What is
interesting is that mules cant be mated with other mules to bring
about mule offspring. Mules are almost always sterile.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mule
Another interesting thing to realize is that a mule doesnt
happen naturally in the wild. It requires an input of intelligence to
make it happen. So considering that a mule is almost always
sterile and requires intelligence to bring about, do you think this
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www.exploringchristianity.com/index.php?option=com_conten
t&view=article&id=213&catid=47&Itemid=270
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must either affirm that God can err or that the Bible is not
the Word of God.
Considering the definition and the Bible verses above, Norman
Geislers conclusion is logical and reasonable.
WHAT'S INERRANCY!? AND WHY SHOULD I CARE?
http://defendinginerrancy.com/why-is-inerrancy-important
PROOF INERRANCY IS HISTORICAL / BIBLICAL
http://defendinginerrancy.com/historical-evidence-for-
inerrancy
THE INERRANCY OF THE BIBLE
www.4truth.net/fourtruthpbbible.aspx?pageid=8589952767
BIBLE ACCURACY
www.4truth.net/accuracy
Here is Norman Geislers presentation at the VERITAS 2014
NATIONAL APOLOGETICS CONFERENCE:
DOES THE BIBLE HAVE ERRORS?
http://defendinginerrancy.com/does-the-bible-have-errors
The professors in many of the evangelical seminaries in current
time have signed STATEMENTS OF INERRANCY. This means that they
hold to the position that the Bible is without error. If you were going to a
seminary, would you want to learn under a professor who doesnt hold
that the Bible is without error?
Would you be surprised to learn that a number of these
professors who hold that the Bible is inerrant also believe certain
passages didnt happen as these verses indicate, that they were
myth, or that they were exercises in creative writing on the part of
the writer? Does this sound contradictory to Norman Geislers
statement? His statement again: If the Bible is the Word of God and
God cannot err, then the Bible cannot err. To deny the inerrancy
of the Bible one must either affirm that God can err or else that the
Bible is not the Word of God.
To see some of the statements of these professors, check the articles
at these links:
www.albertmohler.com/2011/09/14/the-devil-is-in-the-details-
biblical-inerrancy-and-the-licona-controversy
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www.normgeisler.com/articles/Bible/Inspiration-
inerrancy/Blomberg/DenialOfMiracleStory.htm
www.normgeisler.com/articles/Bible/Inspiration-
Inerrancy/Licona/InerrancyWorse.htm
www.normgeisler.com/articles/Bible/Inspiration-
Inerrancy/Blomberg/2014-
ResponseToBlombergCanWeStillBelieveInTheBible.htm
www.normgeisler.com/articles/Bible/Inspiration-
Inerrancy/ETS/OpenTheistsAndInerrancy-
CPinnockOnBibleAndGod.htm
ALREADY COMPROMISED Book showing how Christian
Universities have become compromised Link to preview
https://books.google.com/books?id=_xNVJfr90qoC&pri
ntsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Also check out this excellent presentation by David Farnell
demonstrating the larger concern regarding the influence of professors
teaching this NEW INERRANCY in seminaries.
RESPONDING TO THE NEW ATTACKS ON SCRIPTURE - David Farnell
http://defendinginerrancy.com/responding-new-attacks-scripture
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any excuse to discount the Bible and shows that they seem to be less
interested in honestly considering the far larger supporting evidences.
Can one be a Christian without believing the Bible is fully
inerrant? Yes. However, you put yourself at risk. You leave
yourself open to the possibility that someone will come up with a
convincing sounding argument against an important part of the
Bible. Take for example the resurrection. What if someone came
up with a seemingly convincing argument against the resurrection?
Would this shake your convictions?
If we believe that one part of the Bible isnt reliably the word
of God, who is to say another more important part of the Bible wont
be questioned in the future? I point to Norman Geislers statement
yet again, and Colossians 2:8
If the Bible is the Word of God and God cannot err, then the
Bible cannot err. To deny the inerrancy of the Bible one must
either affirm that God can err or else that the Bible is not the
Word of God. - Norman Geisler
COLOSSIANS 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by
philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition,
according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to
Christ.
It is important to remember, if the Bible is Gods word and
God knows everything, it is we who dont have all the information,
not Him. To believe a challenge by someone to what is written in
the Bible, written by the One who knows everything when we dont
know everything seems somewhat short sighted.
It is important to realize that despite the position of the
professors who are changing the traditional definition of
INERRANCY pertaining to the different Biblical passages, many of
them have still done tremendous work in many other areas of
Apologetics. Because of this, you will see some of them included
in the LEADING SPEAKERS AND THINKERS section. Considering the
importance of inerrancy it is vitally important to check any speaker
or authors position on the inerrancy of the Bible when evaluating
any teaching about the Bible, regardless of that speakers or
authors effective teaching in other areas. Remember Acts 17:11
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ACTS 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in
Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness,
examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
My intention in including this section is so that you are aware
of what is being taught in many seminaries, especially if you are
planning on going into ministry and attending one of these
seminaries. Most of these seminaries were originally started by
their founders to provide an answer to this CHALLENGE TO THE
INERRANCY OF THE BIBLE back in 1914-15. 100 years later, this
challenge to inerrancy is being advanced now at these very same
seminaries.
I highly recommend David Farnells presentation on this subject:
RESPONDING TO THE NEW ATTACKS ON SCRIPTURE
http://defendinginerrancy.com/responding-new-attacks-scripture
HISTORY OF THE BIBLE: HOW THE BIBLE CAME TO US
www.godandscience.org/apologetics/bibleorigin.html
CHUCK MISSLER - HOW WE GOT OUR BIBLE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZsZLDWWZMs
WHY CAN THE BIBLE BE TRUSTED - Sean McDowell
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc2wqBfk20E
WHERE AND HOW DID WE GET THE BIBLE?:
Part 1: Design and Layout of the Old Testament
http://realtruth.org/articles/248-wahdwgtb.html
Part 2: Design and Layout of the New Testament
http://realtruth.org/articles/256-wahdwgtb.html
HOW WE RECEIVED THE BIBLE - Chapel @ The Master's College
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJkokXMd_Ao
CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S WORD, AS IT IS WRITTEN (MARK 16:1-8)
John MacArthur
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPhzjMOboQI
13 MINUTES ON THE RELIABILITY OF SCRIPTURE (John MacArthur)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToMMe_vrRXE
SEAN MCDOWELL THE RELIABILITY OF SCRIPTURE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQQlbHObi6k
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* JESUS
If the Bible proves itself as the only book truly inspired by
God then we can trust everything that is written there. If we call
ourselves Christians we also have no choice but to accept what is
taught there. As covered earlier, one category of proofs that the
Bible is inspired is PROPHESY. Fulfilled prophesy is a proof
exclusive to the Bible. No other book claiming to be inspired from
God shows evidence of detailed prophetic fulfillment like the Bible.
The following site compares prophesies between the Bible
and the Quran:
The Qur'an (Koran) vs. The Bible: Predictions of human actions show
which one is truly from God
http://worldview3.50webs.com/quranvbible.html
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One more point. There are some who believe that Jesus
never died and so He could never have been resurrected. They
conclude that, There cant be a resurrection from the dead, if
the body never died. This belief ignores a few major facts:
Rome had been performing crucifixions as a capital
punishment for hundreds of years. They were experts at
performing crucifixions and wouldnt have made the
mistake of allowing someone to survive the ordeal.
The Roman guards certainly didnt have any sympathy for
Jesus that they would have reduced the torture that Jesus
experienced. The guards wove a crown of thorns for Jesus
to wear since Jesus was being referred to as king, and they
beat him and pulled out parts of his beard. The Roman
guards probably enjoyed beating Jesus considering He
was a criminal of Rome and sentenced to death.
Check out the links below under the:
Medical Detail of Jesus Suffering
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* THE TRINITY
The Trinity is one of the doctrines of the Bible which most will
admit is difficult to understand. This lack of understanding has
caused some to determine that the doctrine cant be true. The fact
is that we will never fully understanding this doctrine because as
finite beings, we dont have the capacity to fully understand the
doctrine. Even so, we can accept it as true even if we dont fully
understand it, because it is clearly taught in the Bible.
The misunderstanding of this doctrine by the non-Christian
religions who deny the Trinity is even more magnified because of
their insistence to refuse to consider any conclusion other than
what theyve already concluded. Similar to those who hold to
worldviews contradictory to Christianity, these non-Christian
religions dont want to be persuaded to believe different than they
do.
If you dont feel you understand this doctrine, I believe this
section will bring you to a much better understanding than youve
had before. In the end as we will see, TRUTH is not determined by
our UNDERSTANDING of something, especially if the Bible teaches
this doctrine. See if the rest of this section provides you any clarity.
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God the Father and also God the Holy Spirit. However, each of
the Persons of the Godhead have different roles.
Some claim that the Trinity isnt a Biblical concept because
the word TRINITY is not found in the Bible. It is true that the word
TRINITY is not found in the Bible, however, does a particular term
need to be in the Bible for the Bible to teach the concept? To
illustrate this, there are other terms referring to concepts taught in
the Bible which are not in the Bible either. The term
MONOTHEISM isnt found in the Bible either but few would deny
that MONOTHEISM is clearly taught in the Bible. Like Monotheism,
if the concept of the TRINITY is taught then does it really matter that
the Bible doesnt use a particular word to describe the concept?
What does the Bible teach about the Trinity?
www.gotquestions.org/Trinity-Bible.html
Some will also claim that because they dont understand the
trinity then it cant be true. Remember, theTRUTH of something isnt
determined by our UNDERSTANDING of that thing. 25 years ago
Pastor Wayne Stockstill stated, If God were a God we could
understand, he wouldnt be much of a God, would he? Think
about Proverbs 3:5:
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do
not lean on your own understanding.
There are many things we use every day without
understanding that things complexity or functionality. So our full
understanding of something doesnt determine its existence, does
it? Do you need to have a complete understanding of how the fuel
system of a vehicle atomizes the fuel going into the cylinders, and
how the pistons and valves are synchronized to compress the fuel
air mixture, to be able to start the engine? Do you need to have
an understanding of how the hydraulic pumps in an automatic
transmission work to drive somewhere? Do you need to
understand how an LED screen displays an image to watch a
movie or TV program? Again, the TRUTH of something isnt
determined by whether we understand it or not.
One of the main criticisms of the concept of the Trinity is that
it violates logic. The criticism is that if God the Father is God, and
Jesus is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, then you have something
similar to the equation 1+1+1=1 or 3=1. If this is an accurate
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description of the doctrine then the critics are correct, and this
would violate logic. So, is this an accrete description of the Trinity?
Just as this equation isnt logical, it also isnt an accurate
description of what Christianity teaches about God. A more
accurate math equation is to describe the Trinity not as 1+1+1=1,
but 1x1x1=1. I believe when some people first hear the 1+1+1=1
analogy, they dont bother to think beyond the analogy. They
instead use it as a confirmation that Christians dont think logically
and that Christianity is illogical. It supports their already negative
impression of Christianity. This 1x1x1=1 may at first seem too
convenient and simple an answer, but if the relationship can be
shown elsewhere in our world, wouldnt that give the illustration
validity? So, does this 1x1x1=1 relationship exist elsewhere, and
is there a way to better understand this?
You may not have thought about the following examples
before in this 1x1x1=1 way, but our world has a number of
TRINITARIAN or 3 in 1 aspects to it. The following are three
examples:
TIME = PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE;
MATTER = SOLID, LIQUID, GAS; and
VOLUME = LENGTH, WIDTH, and HEIGHT.
In all of these there is a 3 in 1 relationship. In TIME; the past
is time, the present is time, and the future is time. They are 3
distinct aspects of time and they are all independent of each other,
but they are still 1 time. In VOLUME; length is volume, height is
volume, and width is volume. The same 3 in 1 relationship exists
with MATTER.
VOLUME is the most accurate illustration Ive heard for
understanding the relationship of the Trinity.
VOLUME = LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT.
When you look at an object from each view - LENGTH, WIDTH,
OR HEIGHT - arent you seeing the entire object? Yes. When you
look at the surface of an object representing the length, you are
seeing the entire object. When you change the position of the
object and look at the surface representing the width, you are
seeing the entire object. The same with the surface representing
the height. But are any of the three views the same as the other
two? No. But they are still of the same object, right? Yes. So you
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1 John 5:7 For there are three who bear witness in heaven: the
Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one.
This verse states the concept clearly.
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the
love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Amen.
This verse gives us a glimpse into the different rolls the
persons of the Trinity take.
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CIVIL LIBERTIES.
www.reformationsa.org/index.php/history/the-reformation-
1517-1610/87-howthereformationchangedtheworld
THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY, both in antiquity and in more
modern times.
www.summit.org/resources/truth-and-
consequences/christianity-and-slavery
MODERN SCIENCE. Most of the major branches of science were
founded by Christian thinkers.
www.christianity.co.nz/science4.htm
www.godandscience.org/apologetics/sciencefaith.html
www.exploringchristianity.com/index.php?option=com_conten
t&view=article&id=213&catid=47&Itemid=270
THE DISCOVERY OF THE NEW WORLD by Columbus.
www.forerunner.com/forerunner/X0196_Columbus_Christian_C.html
THE ELEVATION OF THE POSITION OF WOMEN in Society.
https://bible.org/article/christianity-best-thing-ever-happened-
women
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Amazing-Things-Christianity-Has-
Done-to-Advance-the-Cause-of-Womens-
Rights&id=2661871
BENEVOLENCE AND CHARITY; the Good Samaritan ethic.
www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2013/05/08/3754498.htm
HIGHER STANDARDS OF JUSTICE.
http://creation.com/the-christian-foundations-of-the-rule-of-law-in-
the-west-a-legacy-of-liberty-and-resistance-against-tyranny
THE ELEVATION OF COMMON MAN.
www.phc.edu/gj_schirrmacherv3n2.php
THE HIGH REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE.
www.mtio.com/articles/bissar53.htm
HOW CHRISTIANITY CIVILIZED BARBARIAN EUROPE in Just
One Hundred Years
www.newenglishreview.org/Emmet_Scott/How_Christianity_Ci
vilized_Barbarian_Europe_in_Just_One_Hundred_Years
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CRUSADES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades
People were motivated to take part in the Crusades
because of various reasons. Many of the reasons were not
consistent with Christian teachings, especially the incentive
offered by Pope Urban II. The Wikipedia article above indicates
that for anyone who participated, he would grant that all of their
sins would be forgiven. This certainly is not consistent with the
teachings of the Bible and Jesus Christ, as only God can forgive
sin, and only Jesus Christ offered the necessary sacrifice to pay
for sin.
Considering again the objection raised of the deaths
claimed by Christianity through history, it is absolutely tragic that
10 deaths, much less 1,000,000+ deaths, are attributed to those
who have caused them in the name of Christianity. It is important
however to consider the teachings of Jesus, and then compare His
teachings to the actions of these individuals who killed IN THE NAME
OF GOD. Can one truly claim to act In the name of God, when
they are acting opposite the teachings of Christ?
This link shows the facts of the Crusades,
www.inplainsite.org/html/atheism_or_christianity.html
The same site answers many of the Barriers to Faith
www.inplainsite.org/html/Page3a_barriers_to_faith.html
I asked the following questions earlier, Would the world
be better off without Christianity? and What has the actual
impact of Christianity been on the world? If we were to
consider the same questions in regards to other belief systems and
whether or not they have been a benefit to the world, what would
the facts show? The first link above exposes the lie of MILLIONS OF
PEOPLE DYING because of Christianity, and shows the real
influence on the world that the philosophies of Atheism and
Secularism have had.
Many non-Christians claim that the deaths caused in the
Salem Witch Trials and the Inquisitions were done to force the
spread of Christianity, or because the persons being killed violated
Christian standards. Because of this, they claim that Christianity is
the cause of those deaths.
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At its most basic level this method uses just three or four of
the Ten Commandments. The person being interviewed is asked
a question like, You believe you are a good person, right?
Almost everyone believes they are good. The people they
interview in the videos are no different. They think they are pretty
good too. The person being interviewed is then asked if theyve
kept all of the Ten Commandments. Most will respond that they
havent killed anyone or done anything major and that they
believe they have essentially kept the Ten Commandments.
This is the typical response when a person believes they are GOOD.
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for a savior. Even if heaven does exist, many reason that God will
let them into Heaven anyway because God is a GOD OF LOVE and
a God of love wouldnt really send a GOOD person to hell. They
also probably believe that all roads lead to God, and as long as
they are sincere, God wont send them to hell.
What most people dont realize is that God doesnt send
anyone to hell. People ultimately make the choice to go there. No,
they dont wake up one day and think Wow! Im going to hell.
This is awesome! They make the choice through their own
actions (or inactions), and their refusal to accept Christs payment
for their sin. We either accept Christs payment for our sin or we
are left to try to pay for the penalty of our sin ourselves. Since God
is the only one capable of paying the debt we owe because of our
sin, it is impossible for us to pay for it no matter what we try to do.
Without Christs payment for our sin, we are still guilty in Gods
sight and subject to the penalty that all sin requires and ultimately
will receive.
WHY WOULD A LOVING GOD SEND SOMEONE TO HELL?
www.seanmcdowell.org/index.php/apologetics/why-
would-a-loving-god-send-someone-to-hell
A person who rejects Jesus Christs provision for their sin
through their actions show that they are not interested in having
God in their life while here, as evidenced by not wanting to do
things Gods way. If they have no interest in God in this life why
would God force them to spend eternity with him in the next life?
Think about a person who really liked you romantically but
you didnt like them romantically. Would you want them to keep
pursuing you or would you want them to respect your wishes and
stop pursuing you? Now think about God pursuing a person. If
that person doesnt want God in this life, why would they want to
be forced to be with God in eternity? God respects each persons
wishes. God loves people too much to force them against their
will.
That is why it is so important to bring a person to the
realization of their sin. Most methods of sharing with others don't
really touch on sin and so don't bring a person to believe they have
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any need for a Savior. These methods usually try to show the
significance of the price Jesus paid or stress how much better a
persons life will be after choosing Christ. This presentation by Ray
Comfort shows the ineffectiveness of methods which dont bring
someone to the realization of their sin.
HELLS BEST SECRET - Audio Lessons
www.wayofthemaster.com/audiolessons.shtml
The first link below will take you to the same presentation
and a number of others as well, to listen to or download. Go to the
2nd link below to see videos of Rays method. The 3rd link is a flash
version which takes a person through steps to evaluate how good
they really are.
THE WAY OF THE MASTER method lessons and examples
www.wayofthemaster.com/audiolessons.shtml
www.wayofthemaster.com/watchwitnessing.shtml
www.needgod.com
SITES ON SHARING THE TRUTHS OF CHRISTIANITY:
www.sohmer.net/wotm_only_way.php
www.onemilliontracts.com/pdf/witnessmanual.pdf
www.repentandturn.com/wst_page10.php
WHY DO CHRISTIANS LEAVE THE FAITH?
www.patheos.com/blogs/blackwhiteandgray/2011/11/why-
do-christians-leave-the-faith-the-surprising-importance-
of-apologetics
HOW MANY YOUTH ARE LEAVING THE CHURCH?
www.conversantlife.com/theology/how-many-youth-are-
leaving-the-church
YOU LOST ME: WHY YOUNG CHRISTIANS ARE LEAVING CHURCH
www.conversantlife.com/the-church/you-lost-me-why-
young-christians-are-leaving-church
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: WHY MANY KIDS LEAVE THE FAITH
www.conversantlife.com/belief/the-elephant-in-the-room-
why-many-kids-leave-the-faith
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* TACTICS
The second aspect of sharing the truths of Christianity is
based upon the resource TACTICS IN DEFENDING THE FAITH by
Greg Koukl. It comes from his DVD by the same title, and his book,
TACTICS: A GAME PLAN FOR DISCUSSION YOUR CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS.
As indicated earlier, facts by themselves usually arent
enough to persuade a person to change from what they currently
believe. However, the way the facts are presented can make them
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If you answer Yes, they will believe they are going to hell
simply because they picked the wrong BELIEF FLAVOR. It will seem
to them very trivial on Gods part, that they might have lived a
GOOD life but still go to hell. If you answer No, they will
mistakenly think that living a good life really is what matters, and
not the decision to accept Christs payment for their sin. Hopefully,
you can see how if only a single word answer YES or NO is given
the questioner will end up with the wrong impression.
This is why a question like this needs to be answered very
tactfully, so that the person asking the question comes to a full
understanding of what they are asking. A single word answer
cannot provide this needed understanding.
Review Greg Koukls very innovative method in responding to
this question:
www.str.org/blog/do-you-think-i-m-going-to-hell
www.str.org/articles/am-i-going-to-hell
http://apologeticjunkie.blogspot.com/2010/07/am-i-going-
to-hell-if-i-dont-believe-in.html
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Think about a teacher giving a pop quiz that they know many
of the students arent prepared for. Do you think the teacher would
have allowed the following objection from any of the students, I
cant believe in a teacher who gives me a quiz, and then holds
me responsible for knowing the answers, even though they
know that I probably dont know them.
Can you see that this belief about God is part of the persons
worldview, that there cant be a God who created them and then
holds them responsible for the sin they commit? They are basing
what they believe on their worldview, their likes and dislikes, rather
than evidences. They are expressing a SUBJECTIVE view of
TRUTH. As shown in the TRUTH section, the real truth of something
has nothing to do with what we like or dislike, what were confident
about, or what is popular.
In other areas of our lives, if we have evidence but we dont
like the conclusion the evidence establishes, do we say that we just
dont believe the conclusion because we dont like it? Across the
country there are thousands of inmates who are serving time in
prisons due to evidence brought during their trial proving their
guilt. They are sitting in a prison cell, even though they didnt
LIKE the consequences of the truth established by the evidence.
Another possible reason for my friends objection is that they
dont understand how a loving God would have this option as the
only one possible. Theyve already concluded that if God would do
this then God isnt loving as Christians claim that He is.
Looking back to the TRUTH section, truth again is also not
based upon whether we understand something or not. How many
things would cease to exist if they depended on everyones
understanding of them? Nuclear reactors, the space shuttle, Wi-Fi,
internal combustion engines, etc. They would all cease to exist. If
we dont understand something, is it possible that we dont have all
the information and that we havent considered all the information?
And are we willing to consider additional information?
As was indicated earlier, God being all-powerful doesnt
mean that God can violate the laws of logic. God has all the power
to do anything that power requires. However, regardless of how
much power God has He cant make a square circle. So could our
sin nature be one of the inevitable realities of being created with
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Isaiah 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The
Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is
unsearchable
1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the
power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is
in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O
Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.
Again, God has all the power to be able to do what power can
accomplish. However, God cannot violate the laws of logic He
cannot make a square circle even with unlimited power.
GOD IS GOOD:
Luke 18:19 And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good?
No one is good except God alone.
1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and
proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at
all.
Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is
the man who takes refuge in him!
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GOD IS UNCHANGEABLE:
Malachi 3:6 For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O
children of Jacob, are not consumed.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and
forever.
Numbers 23:19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of
man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he
not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Since God does not change, his promises will never change.
His love for us will never change, and his judgment on sin will never
change. We can fully rely Gods promises.
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Remember again, this perfect God chose to pay the sin debt
we owe. He has done nothing wrong. He is completely innocent.
We deserve to be in His place on the cross, but He took our place
and paid our debt. And why did he do all this? For no other reason
than because He loves us so much and wants us to be able to
spend eternity with him. Do you now see the amazing picture of
His love and mercy?
I know that I have repeated many of the points many times
in this section. I did so because of the tremendous importance of
understanding this information, and the importance of having the
correct perspective when we think about what is fair and what we
truly deserve. I hope this has given you some things to think about,
and if you are still thinking but what about . . . , I hope this has
possibly even as Greg Koukl says, put a stone in your shoe.
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The above sites show that the beliefs of many Mormons and
Jehovahs Witnesses, as well as the teachings of both of the
religions, show that that both religions consider themselves
Christian. Both religions place strong emphasis on the family, and
the teaching to love and care for others. This is fully consistent with
Christianity, and Christians applaud their emphasis of these ideals.
However, we also disagree that the core beliefs of both are true and
are consistent with Christianity. The question is not the emphasis
and dedication to the family taught by both religions, it is their claim
to being Christian and teaching the same as Christianity.
Remember Greg Koukls observation about different beliefs,
When studying religions, the point is not to focus on
the things that are similar. Its the differences that really
matter.
And also the comment by the writer Steve Turner,
They only disagree on the nature of man, the nature of God,
sin, salvation, heaven, hell, and creation.
Even though these family ideals are consistent with
Christianity, the differences between the teachings of the different
religions are critical when it comes to eternal issues, and where we
will spend eternity. Both Mormon and Jehovahs Witness teachings
differ from the ESSENTIALS of the Christian faith, and these
differences cannot be bridged by having similar teachings of how
we should treat others.
The different teachings about the essentials between these
two religions contradict the teachings in the Bible. As well, they
contradict each other. As such, Mormonism, Jehovahs Witness,
and Christianity cant all be true. Again, the law of non-contradiction
indicates that only one teaching can be true, and whichever is true
the teachings which are contradictory are automatically false. If you
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have the wrong teaching as to who Jesus Christ is, you dont have
a Jesus Christ who is qualified to pay for your sin and so you dont
have a salvation that works.
WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIALS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH?
www.gotquestions.org/essentials-Christian-faith.html
www.str.org/articles/essential-christian-doctrines
https://carm.org/essential-doctrines-of-christianity
There is a saying I heard years ago from Hank Hannigraf,
President of THE CHRISTIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE, which I believe
captures how Christians are to relate to others regarding beliefs.
In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty,
and In All Things Charity.
We should partner in unity with other individuals and religions
when they hold to the same essential teachings of Christianity.
We should show liberty and not break fellowship with others over
teachings which are non-essential.
And we should show charity to all individuals and groups,
whether or not they hold to the essentials of Christianity.
While there may be differences in teachings between major
denominations of Christianity, almost all of them hold to the same
ESSENTIALS as indicated in the links above. Any denomination or
church calling itself Christian which doesnt hold to the foundational
truths of Christianity would like the Mormon and Jehovahs Witness
churches and also not be Christian. Both the Mormon and
Jehovahs Witness churches claim to be Christian as the previous
links indicate. However, we will see that their teachings contradict
the essentials of Christianity, as the official church information and
information in each of the next sections confirm. As such, their
teachings prove they cannot be Christian religions. And just
because a religion is called Christian, or calls itself Christian, that
doesnt automatically make it Christian.
Again, it is not my intention to offend, but it is important to
remember that ideas have consequences, and if the consequences
of an idea have eternal ramifications, we need to very seriously
evaluate the actual teachings of any belief system we are
considering adopting. If the teachings of Mormonism and
Jehovahs Witness are contradictory to the essentials of Christianity
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then they can not be Christian religions. Again, if you have the
wrong Jesus, a Jesus who is not the eternal God and not qualified
to pay for sin, you have the Jesus who cant save you from that sin.
* MORMONISM
Mormonism teaches a Father God, Jesus Christ, and a Holy
Spirit. They teach on sin, salvation, and atonement, and use many
terms similar to Christianity. Mormonism also has the name of
JESUS CHRIST as part of the full name of the church. This is where
the abbreviation LDS originates, THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF
LATTER DAY SAINTS. It is important to realize again that just
because the same name or terminology is used does not mean that
a religion has the same named person or the same meaning for the
terminology used.
When the specifics about the Mormon religion which are
inconsistent with Christian teachings are pointed out, some
Mormons have claimed that they are being persecuted by those
who raise these points. Since this Criticism issue is raised by
Mormons, we should consider the original Mormon criticisms of
Christian churches. This link shows the criticisms of Christianity
raised by the founding and influential members of the Mormon
Church and that these criticisms began long before teachings of
Mormonism were challenged.
"WE NEVER CRITICIZE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES"
www.mrm.org/we-never-criticize
Once again, we need to focus on what is true about the
ESSENTIAL teachings between Mormonism and Christianity and
consider the actual differences.
Another possible reason for Mormons feeling persecuted is
that the Mormon Church doesnt seem to encourage its members
to think critically. Mormons and others are encouraged to pray
about the Book of Mormon, to get what is called A burning in the
bosom, to see if it is true.
READ THE BOOK OF MORMON AND PRAY TO DETERMINE ITS TRUTH
www.godandscience.org/cults/praytruth.html
PRAYING ABOUT THE BOOK OF MORMON - IS IT BIBLICAL?
www.mrm.org/praying-about-bofm
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Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the
Holy Ghost are only one God! I say that is a strange God
anyhowthree in one, and one in three! It is a curious
organization All are to be crammed into one God, according
to sectarianism. It would make the biggest God in all the world.
He would be a wonderfully big God he would be a giant or a
monster
TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH - p. 372
http://scriptures.byu.edu/tpjs/STPJS.pdf
"We cannot remember that Lucifer, a son of God the Father, a
brother of Jesus Christ, rebelled against Gods plan"
- Robert D. Hales - Presiding Bishop
THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD: RETURN WITH HONOR - Paragraph 3
www.lds.org/general-conference/1990/04/the-aaronic-
priesthood-return-with-
honor?lang=eng&query=aaronic+priesthood%3a+return+
with+honor
"It is the Devil, the mighty Lucifer, the great prince of the
angels, the brother of Jesus" - Joseph Young
http://journalofdiscourses.com/6/31 - Paragraph 12
no less a person than Jesus Christ was married on that
occasion - Orson Hyde
http://journalofdiscourses.com/4/49 - Paragraph 11
We say it was Jesus Christ who was married - Orson Hyde
http://journalofdiscourses.com/2/18 - Paragraphs 34 and 35
"The Christian world, so called, are heathens as to their
knowledge of the salvation of God" - Brigham Young
http://journalofdiscourses.com/8/44 - Paragraph 3
We know that it is by grace that we are saved AFTER ALL WE
CAN DO
www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/25?lang=eng - 2 Nephi 25:23
"We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is
translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to
be the word of God."
www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1.8?lang=eng Articles of Faith 1:8
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MORMONISM
www.towertotruth.net/audio.htm#mormon
MORMON AUDIO FILES
http://mmoutreach.org/mormon/mormon_audio.htm
SAINTS ALIVE - AUDIO LIBRARY
www.saintsalive.com/media-library/audio-library
How To Witness To Mormon Missionaries
www.christianapologeticsalliance.com/2015/01/21/how-to-
witness-to-mormon-missionaries/
Brett Kunkle - Getting Mormons to Explain Why
Pt 1 www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RkSUj2YhpE
Pt 2 www.youtube.com/watch?v=l72Ox2UmtK4
Pt 3 www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cqNgoGdBso
Mormon Role Play - Brett Kunkle
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8Rsp7Zgyxs
Maze Ministry
http://www.mazeministry.com/
http://www.mazeministry.com/new/downloadbooks.htm -
Free downloadablebooks
http://www.mazeministry.com/machine/index.htm -
Comparison machinebetween 1830 and current
version
Mormon Epistemology 101
http://pleaseconvinceme.com/2013/mormon-epistemology-
101/
Thinking Carefully about Mormonism (and Mormon Epistemology)
www.str.org/blog/thinking-carefully-about-mormonism-and-
mormon-epistemology
Epistemology The Mormon Testimony
http://mormonisminvestigated.co.uk/2010/09/21/epistemolo
gy-the-mormon-testimony/
Mormonism: Same Language, Different Meanings
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKaIKHxk2Yw
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* JEHOVAHS WITNESS
Jehovahs Witnesses like Mormons are very sincere in their
beliefs, and we commend them for their dedication to what they
believe as the truth. As with Mormons, we do not challenge the
dedication and sincerity of Jehovahs Witnesses. We challenge the
teachings of the organization as those teachings compare to the
ESSENTIALS OF CHRISTIANITY. We want to focus on the truths of the
teachings, not the sincerity of those who hold these beliefs. I stress
again that TRUTH is not determined by our SINCERITY or DEDICATION.
In addition to being sincere and dedicated, Jehovahs
Witnesses and Mormons are also similar in that the teachings of
both religions deviate from the ESSENTIALS OF CHRISTIANITY; The
identity and nature of God, of Jesus, of man, sin, salvation. Heaven,
and hell. One of the primary differences between the two religions
is that most of the deviations from the ESSENTIALS OF CHRISTIANITY
taught by Jehovahs Witness are located in their translation of the
Bible, the NEW WORLD TRANSLATION.
WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIALS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH?
www.gotquestions.org/essentials-Christian-faith.html
www.str.org/articles/essential-christian-doctrines
https://carm.org/essential-doctrines-of-christianity
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the Athanasian Creed you will get the impression that this sentence
gives an accurate representation of the Athanasian Creed.
The Athanasian Creed can be read at the following link. This
link is one of many that are easily found doing a simple web search.
www.reformed.org/documents/athanasian.html
The above sentence also states these three Persons are
not separate and distinct individuals The following statements
from the Athanasian Creed are the only ones which use the word
PERSON. Do any of the following from the Athanasian Creed give
any indication that the PERSONS of the Trinity are not separate?
v3. Neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the
substance
v4. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the
Son and another of the Holy Spirit.
v18. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to
acknowledge every person by himself to be God and
Lord;
v25. But the whole three persons are co-eternal, and co-
equal.
v35. One altogether, not by the confusion of substance, but
by unity of person.
Do these lines give the impression that these three
Persons are not separate and distinct individuals? The
sentence in the Jehovahs Witness article further states:
these three Persons are not separate and distinct
individuals but are three modes.
The concept of three modes is a teaching called
MODALISM, where God is not three persons but one person. In
Modalism, this one person operates in three different MODES or
roles at different times, but not more than one at any given time.
Like an adult being an employee at their job, and then a student
taking college classes, and then a parent in the evening. Modalism
is one person operating in different capacities at different times, but
again, not in more than one role at any given time. In Gods case,
God would operate in the roll of God the Father, and at another time
operate as God the Son, and at another time God the Holy Spirit.
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But according to Modalism, God will never operate in more than one
role at any given time. Modalism is a representation of God which
Christianity rejects. https://carm.org/modalism
In the following paragraph at the same link, the author states
that there is no personal name applied to the Holy Spirit in any
Biblical Scripture.
The Holy Scriptures tell us the personal name of the
FatherJehovah. They inform us that the Son is Jesus
Christ. But nowhere in the Scriptures is a
personal name applied to the Holy Spirit.
Jehovahs Witness teaching that there is no personal name
applied to the Holy Spirit is considered evidence by them of the Holy
Spirit not being a person. They refer to the Holy Spirit as Gods
power in action, his active force.
www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-is-the-holy-spirit/
Most Biblical verses about the Holy Spirit however, describe
the Holy Spirit using personal attributes. If personal attributes are
used, can we say that the Holy Spirit isnt a person in the Godhead?
This author claims that a personal name isnt used? But what
personal attributes are used of the Holy Spirit in the Bible?
Acts 5:3-4 "But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart
to lie to the Holy Spirit . . . You have not lied to man but to God.
The Holy Spirit can be lied to and is also referred to as God.
2 Cor 13:14 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all"
We can have fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26 "But the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My
name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance
all that I said to you." (He not it)
The Holy Spirit can teach.
John 16:13-15 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide
you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative,
but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you
what is to come. He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and
shall disclose it to you.
The Holy Spirit can guide, speak, and disclose.
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Romans 8:27 "And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of
the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to
the will of God."
The Spirit has a mind and can intercede.
Even Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as Him and a Helper, not It.
John 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage
that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to
you. But if I go, I will send HIM to you.
Do these verses seem to describe a person or an
impersonal force, and does this verse give at least one name to the
Holy Spirit, the Helper?
Consider also the verses which describe God both in the
singular and the plural. These verses demonstrate the concept of
the One God being composed of the three persons.
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Genesis 11:7 Come, let US [plural] go down and there confuse their
language, so that they may not understand one another's
speech.
Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit [plural]" "Baptize in the name" singular, not
"names" plural
It is important to stress again the command of the Bible, and
also the emphasis the Bible places on itself as the only true
authority to best learn the about of God and His will for us.
2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman
that needs not be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped
for every good work.
Another paragraph from the same article demonstrates
the authors confusion with the terms GOD and PERSON.
Which translation of John 1:1,2 agrees with the
context? John 1:18 says: No one has ever seen
God. Verse 14 clearly says that the Word became flesh
and dwelt among us . . . we have beheld his glory.
Also, verses 1, 2 say that in the beginning he
was with God. Can one be with someone and at the same
time be that person? At John 17:3, Jesus addresses the
Father as the only true God; so, Jesus as a god merely
reflects his Fathers divine qualities.Heb. 1:3
You can see that their understanding of the teaching of the
Trinity is the 1+1+1=1, and not the Christian teaching of 1x1x1=1.
Seeing this confusion, it is understandable why Jehovahs
Witnesses reject the teaching of the Trinity. Again, Christians also
reject this teaching of the Trinity as 1+1+1=1. As mentioned earlier,
the author equates the teaching of the Trinity with Modalism (1 then
1 then 1 = 1), and not the Christian teaching of three persons in one
God (1 x 1 x 1 = 1).
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Hebrews 1:5-6 For to which of the angels did God ever say,
You are my Son, today I have begotten you? Or again,
I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son?
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he
says, Let all God's angels worship him.
Look at the last sentence in this verse.
when He (God) brings the firstborn into the world, he (God)
says, Let all Gods angels worship him.
If God is the only one to be worshipped, and God
commands his angels to worship Jesus Christ, the only logical
conclusion is that Jesus Christ is God. Jesus also can not be
another God, because the Bible indicates there is only one God.
If both God the Father and Jesus are God, they must be the
same God, not another God. Jesus is the second person in the
one true God. And this is true whether or not we understand
this. Consider the following verses where Jesus Christ is called
God.
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* ISLAM
Unlike Mormonism and Jehovahs Witness theology, Islam
makes no claims to being Christian. To classify Islam as Christian
is considered an insult to Muslims.
Like Mormonism and Jehovahs Witness theology, there are
significant differences between the doctrines of Christianity and
Islam; in the nature of God as Trinity, of Jesus Christ, of man,
Heaven, Hell, sin, and Salvation. As such, we come back to the
concept of Truth, and The Law of Non-Contradiction. Remember,
two contradictory concepts/beliefs/ideas cannot both be true at the
same time and in the same way. Since these teachings are
contradictory, if either Christianity or Islam is true, the other is
automatically false. Again, if you have the wrong savior, you dont
have a salvation that saves.
This segment on Islam and the following one on Wicca are
the last segments to be added to this guide. Unfortunately due to
obligations and lack of time, I am limited to primarily providing links
to websites on the two religions for you to research fur. My
apologies for any inconvenience, and hopefully these links will
provide you with the resources to sufficiently research the
information at your convenience.
You will likely find duplicated information between some of
the different websites. I believe that seeing the information
presented in the different ways these websites do help to gain a
more complete understanding of the different subjects.
SITES ON ISLAM
WHAT IS ISLAM? www.truthnet.org/islam/whatisislam.html
HISTORY OF MUHAMMAD & ISLAM
http://bibleprobe.com/muhammad.htm
HISTORY OF ISLAM http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Islam
ABOUT ISLAM
www.christiananswers.net/evangelism/beliefs/islam.html
ISLAM VS CHRISTIANITY INFOGRAPHIC
www.jashow.org/articles/islam/christianity-islam-
compared/islam-vs-christianity-infographic/
ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY www.dianedew.com/islam.htm
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WITNESSING TO MUSLIMS
www.gotquestions.org/witnessing-Muslims.html
www.livingwaters.com/witnessingtool/howtowitnesstomuslim
s.shtml
http://arabsforchrist.org/witnessing101
http://standupforthetruth.com/2011/08/7-tips-for-witnessing-
to-muslims
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www.equip.org/search/?q=WITNESSING%20TO%20MUSLI
MS
www.cbn.com/spirituallife/OnlineDiscipleship/UnderstandingI
slam/Witnessing_to_Muslims.aspx
https://carm.org/questions-muslims
www.learnthebible.org/witnessing-to-muslims.html
www.answering-islam.org/Christians/index.html
www.answering-islam.org/Gilchrist/Vol1/index.html
http://engagingwithislam.org/training
www.4truth.net/fourtruthpbworld.aspx?pageid=8589953031
http://bibleanswerstodayblog.com/how-to-witness-to-a-
muslim
http://edrodgers.net/witnessing-to-muslims-using-the-quran
http://216.198.197.57/Truth%20to%20Say%20to%20Muslim
s%20-%20Camel%20Method.htm
*A NEW CONCERN
There is a recent movement of the last decade or so called
the Insider Movement, also referred to as CHRISLAM. From the
description, it looks to provide Muslims the opportunity to come to
Christ, while still allowing them to hold to Muslim practices and
beliefs. The following will allow you to gain a greater understanding
of this movement, and the concerns voiced by Greg Koukl and
others.
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www.gotquestions.org/Chrislam.html
www.str.org/Media/Default/Publications/DigitalSG_1112_New-1.pdf
www.cc.org/blog/presbyterians_boost_new_chrislam_religion
www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/piper-responds-to-the-
insider-movement
* WICCA
Wicca, like Islam, doesnt claim to be Christian as the
Mormon and Jehovahs Witness religions do. I have included
Wicca because it is considered by some to be the fastest growing
religion among young people and especially girls. The following
description is from the referenced link, and gives some of the
reasons for its growth:
Wicca is a fast growing religion. Some have said
that it is the fastest growing religion in America. Whether
or not that is true, the fact remains that the number one
source of numbers in the Wiccan ranks, are the young.
In our postmodern world where moral absolutes
are disparaged and truth statements are doubted, Wicca
fits right in. It offers a subjective religious experience that
is aided by your own invention. Wicca is the religion of
nature worship, of gods and goddesses, of spells and
incantations designed to bring influence upon
circumstances and/or people.
Youth sometimes get lost in that transition between
childhood and adulthood, and often do not know what
direction to go to find truth and meaning. But this does not
stop them from trying. They seek to identify with groups,
music, causes, and philosophies. It helps to give them
purpose, meaning, and identity. So too with Wicca. It is a
world religion based upon ancient agrarian religious belief
out of northern Europe that allows them to cater their
beliefs and practices to their own desires. How satisfying!
Think about it. There is an attraction to the idea that you
can construct a religious system that suits your
preferences and use that system to gain control and
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* OTHER RELIGIONS
This section will provide you with links to be able to learn
about the beliefs of other religions. Remember that whatever belief
system is true, any belief system that contradicts the true belief
system is false. Remember also that you dont need detailed
information on the different belief systems to evaluate them, you
only need to know how they differs from each other and from
Christianity. These links will provide you with the information
showing many of the differences.
I have also added sites at the bottom showing the reasons
why Christianity is different from all other religions, and why these
differences make it worth considering.
COMPARATIVE RELIGION
www.comparativereligion.com
THE BIG RELIGION CHART
www.religionfacts.com/compare/religions
THE BIG RELIGION CHART
www.godfire.net/Religion_Chart.htm
CHRISTIANITY AND THE CHALLENGE OF WORLD RELIGIONS
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NraZ1OFbq8s
This is one of the videos from the 2011 Veritas Apologetics Conference
Veritas Apologetics Conference 2011 - Playlist
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-
0zpu2toenY1I4a8UMZK5oSeOXCYN9B5
Jesus Among Other Gods by Ravi Zacharias
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2vot0xeefk
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8. SALVATION
He who created us without our help will not save us
without our consent. Augustine
Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth
dying for; to make them worth it. C.S. Lewis
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resolve the damage to the car? The car still needs to be repaired
and a payment has to be made to repair that damage. If you pay
for the damage you have effectively paid the debt they owed.
Here is a news story of the most expensive auto repair in
Englands history:
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/rowan-atkinson-sets-record-
for-biggest-ever-car-insurance-claim-091922086.html
Think about the word Savior. If Jesus is a Savior, that
means that he saves us from something? Our SIN has caused
infinite damage to the relationship we have with God, and God
values relationships and our love for others as greater than anything
else according to all of chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians. Here are just
verses 1-3:
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of
angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging
cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all
mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to
remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give
away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but
have not love, I gain nothing.
Because of the incredible importance of relationships to
God, damage to our relationships with others is very damaging.
There is a cost to this damage, a price which is far too great for us
to pay. Since Christ is God, He is qualified to pay the price, with
that price being His death on the cross. If we dont choose to
humble ourselves and accept His saving payment for our sin, we
are left with the only other option which is to try to pay for our sin
debt ourselves. Since we are not God, we are unqualified and
unable to pay such a price for our sin debt and we are destined to
go to an eternity separated from God, and will be sent to the only
place prepared for those where God is not.
As mentioned earlier, hell is the place God created for Satan
and the demons where God is not present. The only location God
can send those who still have unforgiven sin is hell. This is because
they have rejected Christs sacrifice on the cross, the only payment
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sufficient for the sin they have committed, and also because Hell is
the only location where God isnt.
Something else to consider. Anyone who decides that they
will not humble themselves and accept Christs payment, has
essentially decided to do things their way. They want to resolve
their sin condition the way that they want, and not the way God has
provided through His choosing to die on the cross because of His
love for us. Can you see the arrogance in this way of thinking?
If God created us and He is preparing heaven for us, doesnt
He have the right to determine the conditions necessary for us to
go there? He has not only determined the conditions, he had also
satisfied the conditions, but these satisfied conditions only apply if
we accept them on His terms. There are some who will only accept
the conditions they have determined. They want to be able to point
to something they have done or something about themselves that
is worthy. God has already shown us that none of us is worthy, and
that is why He has satisfied the conditions necessary for us to have
eternal life. If we refuse the work he has done by insisting on our
way, we refuse the only option that truly works.
Also remember the question I asked regarding a crime.
Who determines the severity and punishment of a crime? The one
who committed the crime? No. In our country it is the lawmakers
who determine the severity and punishment. When we have
committed a crime against God, it is God who determines the
severity of the offense and the punishment necessary.
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John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his
name, he gave the right to become children of God
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*IF JESUS PAID THE PRICE FOR MY SIN, AND MY GOOD WORKS DONT
COUNT AT ALL, WHY DO I NEED TO BE GOOD AND DO GOOD WORKS?
James 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also
faith apart from works is dead.
John 14:15 If you love Me, keep my commands
John 15:5,8 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides
in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me
you can do nothing. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear
much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
When someone does something important for us, and we
know they didnt have to do and that we didnt deserve, we feel a
sense of obligation to be nicer to them and take into greater
consideration what is important to them. We want to show them
that we truly appreciate what they did.
Our salvation is similar in that we recognize that Christ did
for us something very important that we didnt deserve, and so we
take what He indicates is important into consideration in how we
live our lives. We choose to do the things Christ indicates is
important to show our appreciation to Him for what he has done for
us. This demonstrates that we value the price Christ paid for our
salvation. As indicated before, our living for Christ is not to earn our
salvation but to show evidence of us choosing Christs payment for
our sin.
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If I say Ive been saved by Christ but my life doesnt
show any evidence, (my works and lifestyle), its easy to conclude
that my statement is just words and not what Ive really chosen.
John 14:15 If you love Me, keep my commands. If I dont
keep his commands, it is proof that I dont love him and have not
accepted his priceless gift of salvation, and have not been saved by
him.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified,
and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
1 Samuel 16:7 For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on
the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
When we tell someone something, they can only determine
the truthfulness of our statement by what weve said and then by
our actions. But remember, God can see into our heart and knows
our true motives. Remember my example of the penalty in a jury
trial? When a defendant is found guilty, our justice system typically
determines the severity of the penalty based on the motivation of
the defendant. In the examples given previously showing the two
news stories about the two different deaths, one was an accident
and the other was premeditated. The investigation resulted in very
different outcomes. What if we killed an attacker because we were
defending an innocent person from this attacker? We would be
found innocent with no sentence, because of actions to defend
another.
Since God knows everything and is outside of time, He not
only knows our motivations, He knows our motivations before we
do, and before we are even born!
God offers the gift of eternal life to us, not because of what
weve done but because of what Christ did on the cross for us. And
our going to heaven comes down to whether or not weve decided
to truly accept his payment for our sin, and not just saying a
sentence. How we live our life proves whether we have truly
accepted His gift, or if our claim were only words we repeated.
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you regularly reading your Bible? Also, as 1 John 1:8-10 indicates,
we will all continue to sin. However if we are truly saved God will
not allow us to remain comfortable in our sin.
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anything for him. while we were still sinners this part of the verse
shows that God didnt wait for us to get our lives on track first. He
died for us while we were still sinners. And He did this knowing that
even though his sacrifice if sufficient for every sin of every person
that ever lives on this planet, many will never choose to accept Him,
and never receive his gift.
SALVATION AND THE WORK OF CHRIST An in-depth study
http://godswordforyou.com/bible-studies/salvation-and-the-
work-of-christ.html
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your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then
will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you
workers of lawlessness.
And the verse we saw earlier:
John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his
name, he gave the right to become children of God
As we can see, there are people who will not enter the
kingdom of heaven. God actually indicates that he doesnt know
them. And this is even after a plea on the part of some that they
were doing his will.
It seems that those making the plea that they were doing
Gods will have decided on their own what Gods will is. Could it be
that since they are pointing to things theyve done, they are trying
to justify receiving Gods gift through the works they have done? As
weve already seen, it is an insult to God for us to think that we can
do anything to have any justification for us to go to Heaven. God
paid an incredible price and he will not allow anyone to take credit
for what He has done. Since He is God and has paid this price, He
has every right to take credit for his work. He and He alone
deserves and receives the Glory.
The first verse above, John 5:40, clearly indicates that some
will refuse to come to Him. Remember, he will not force anyone to
choose Him. He respects everyones freedom of choice, and will
not force anyone to do what they dont want to. It is only those who
decide to follow Gods will who will be saved, and this by accepting
Christs payment on the cross for their sin, and then validate their
choice by living for Him.
Lastly, think of God offering a pardon for your sin because
of Christs sacrifice on the cross. You still have to make the decision
to accept his pardon or else it doesnt apply. Until recently, if a
criminal sentenced to death was pardoned, they still had to ACCEPT
the pardon otherwise the sentence was carried out. This link shows
an event in history where someone refused a pardon.
THE MAN WHO REFUSED THE PARDON
http://members.core.com/~lpm8998/man_who_refused.htm
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I Am Second - www.iamsecond.com
This site shows individuals who give their video testimonies.
Some are celebrities you may have seen before. They tell in their
stories, or testimonies, about an issue they dealt with and the pain
caused by that issue, and how God met them and their decision to
turn to him. If you have experienced or are currently experiencing
a similar situation, I hope you find inspiration in their experiences.
If Christ loved you so much to Die on the cross for your sin
He wants to reach you in your situation and provide healing in your
pain. He will not force Himself on you, and you will need to call to
him and ask him. The important realization we need to remember
is that Jesus Christ is God, and so knows everything. Since He
knows everything, He knows how to meet your need in the best way
possible, and in the best time possible. This is not necessarily what
we would conclude as the best way and time. As such, we cant
conclude that since God is not meeting us in the way we think is
best, he is not meeting us. If He is not meeting us in the way we
think is best, it is because He knows everything while we know very
little.
SO WHAT NOW?
Romans 10:9-10 if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is
Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified,
and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
If you are a not a Christian and you have gone through this
guide and particularly this section, you have a decision to make.
You can accept the information and make the decision to accept
the gift Christ offers. Or you can reject Christs gift and Him having
first priority in your life. Youll continue going in the direction youve
been going, that direction which all of us were headed, which
eventually leads to an eternal separation from him.
God will not force you to choose Him. He has done
everything possible for you to be saved, but the decision is still
yours. If you dont want to spend eternity with God and with Jesus
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Christ as your Lord and Savior, he will not force you. There are
many who have lived for today, who are paying for it for all eternity.
If you have reached the point of making a decision to accept
Christs priceless gift of salvation, and you have chosen to live for
him and not yourself anymore, you can pray the following prayer to
God. It comes from the following webpage. I recommend reading
the entire page. Remember, God knows your heart and motivation
before you pray.
PRAYER OF SALVATION
www.allaboutgod.com/prayer-of-salvation.htm
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CLOSING THOUGHTS
I hope you have found value in the information in this guide
and in the resources listed in the following section and throughout.
If you are a Christian, I hope you now have a better
understanding of the incomprehensible God we worship. I hope
you also have a better understanding of what it means to be a
Christian, and that this guide has helped correct any misinformation
you formerly believed as true. I hope this guide has also shown you
the value of being able to provide evidences for the truths of
Christianity, and that it has also provided you with a skillful method
of sharing the Gospel message with others. I hope you also realize
a much greater confidence in what you believe, and feel that you
can be much more capable of defending your faith to those
challenging what you believe, and correcting their misinformation.
If you havent accepted the claims of Christianity, I hope the
information and resources in this guide have shown that Christianity
is worth investigating, not because Christians hope that it is true,
but because of the abundance of evidence to confirm it. If you are
in this last group, I hope this information motivates you to seriously
consider these numerous evidences for the truths of Christianity,
and the implications for your life and where you will spend eternity.
You can recognize Jesus Christ as God and accept Him as
your Lord in this life or you can recognize Jesus Christ as God after
this life, and spend all eternity realizing that you will never again
have the opportunity to accept Him as your Lord and Savior.
Thank you again for your time in reading through this guide
and considering the information. Hopefully you realize that the
information and resource links contained in this guide will allow you
to not only learn about and research further the topics in this guide,
but also will enable you to research any other question on
Christianity, the Bible, God, etc., which has not been included here.
May God bless you through this guide and the included
information through the links to the extensive resources.
Hugo Schraer
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* GROWING AS A CHRISTIAN
As a Christian you not only need knowledge of what you
believe and why but you also need to have resources to grow as a
Christian. If you are a Christian are you growing? Do you find
yourself at the same maturity level in your walk and knowledge level
on Biblical subjects as where you were a year ago? If so, youre
probably not growing. If you feel that you are not growing, ask
yourself; what are you studying, reading, watching, and listening to?
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thirsty and went to get a drink of water. He found every glass was
dirty in a sink of greasy water. He then went to the cupboard and
found a clean peanut butter jar and used that to drink water. Jay
used this experience to effectively illustrate how God will pass on
using someone who might seem to us the most logical person, and
instead use another person, if the first person is contaminated with
the filth of this world. God will use the most humble Christian, if
they are serious about being cleansed from the filth of this world, so
that they can be:
a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful
to the master of the house, ready for every good work
Have you thought of how God views you and your life, and if
He would consider you a vessel for honorable use as indicated by the
2 Timothy verse? Ask yourself, are you the clean peanut butter jar
or a greasy dirty water glass?
Something else to think about concerning being used of God.
Often we can find the distractions of the world and certain events
affecting our focus as to the reason for our activities. Im adding
this paragraph less than two weeks before Christmas and was
reminded by our pastors sermon this morning how we can get
distracted by the sheer business of our lives, and lose our focus.
Especially during the Christmas season where we should be
focused on the birth of Christ, we are so often caught up in the
commercialism of the season and the bright lights and decorations
found everywhere. How easy it is for us to lose sight of the reason
for the season, and become distracted. How often we fail to keep
Christ primary in our thoughts and motivations. Do you find yourself
caught up in activities which make you feel that you are being
productive, but in reality, your activity has no spiritual significance?
What are the reasons for the things that we are doing during this
season, and all throughout the year?
I hope these sites will provide you with great tools to grow
in your Christian life.
www.growingchristians.org
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cncEhCvrVgQ
www.allaboutfollowingjesus.org/growing-in-christ.htm
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www.desiringgod.org
https://bible.org/series/abcs-christian-growth-laying-
foundation
www.knowing-jesus.com
www.worldwidechallenge.org/stories/christian-growth
www.gospel.com/topics/christian+growth
www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/sermons-about-christian-
growth.asp
Paul Washer: (there are many links to other great sermons by Paul Washer)
The Importance of Prayer for Christians
www.youtube.com/watch?v=53P-L7wu4h0
Do you see God working on your life?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxzRXb0fHik
Do You Bear Fruit? (John 15)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbeT5Aef0_I
Too many believe that God will make our lives HAPPY simply
because we are Christians and have accepted Christ. It is important
to remember that Gods goal for our lives is holiness and not
specifically happiness. When you consider the idea of HAPPINESS,
what is it that makes you happy? Before we were Christians, our
selfish wants are typically what brought us happiness. If you are a
Christian, your heart and desires should be being changed by God
so that what brings you happiness is what brings God happiness.
We will be more excited seeing His will accomplished then our own.
Psalm 37:4-5 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you
the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in
him, and he will act.
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I used to think this verse meant that the Lord would give me
the desires of my heart, give me what I wanted. I believe a better
understanding is the teaching that Ive heard on this verse, that if we
commit ourselves to God, He will give us new desires to replace our
selfish ones.
God wants the life of a Christian to be holy, and he is willing to
use circumstances which cause pain and discomfort in our lives if
necessary, to bring that holiness. Our happiness should be the
result of the holiness we are developing through God working in our
lives. Our happiness is achieved through our growing in knowledge
of Jesus and our growing in a relationship with Him.
Leviticus 11:45 You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought with a price. So glorify
God in your body.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your
sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
* THE BIBLE
Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the
problems men face. Ronald Reagan
"Sin will keep you from this Book or this Book will keep you
from sin" D.L. Moody
"A thorough understanding of the BIBLE is better than a college
education" Theodore Roosevelt
"Here then, is the real problem of our negligence. We fail in our
duty to study God's Word not so much because it is difficult to
understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but
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leave her husband and start a relationship with another man she
was now interested in. She happened upon Ephesians 4:24 in her
King James Version Bible and claimed it as her answer:
Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man (KJV)
This woman chose to take this single verse as the answer
from God, that she divorce or leave her husband and partner with
this other man. Do you think she might have dismissed some other
verses speaking on the subject? What about Exodus 20:14? Could
this be a verse she chose to ignore?
Exodus 20:14 Thou shall not commit adultery? (KJV)
So, what does the Ephesians passage mean? What are
tools we can use to give us a high confidence that we are
understanding the correct meaning of this passage, and others?
One basic tool is which Bible translation we use. How does
the Ephesians passage read in the King James Version (KJV) when
compared to the English Standard Version (ESV)?
Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man (KJV)
Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self (ESV)
With the KJV version, the impression could be that it is
referring to a person other than ourselves, as was understood by
the woman. Reading the verse in the ESV, the strong impression
is more clearly a new version of ourselves.
Gregs principal of Never Read a Bible Verse resolves
most misunderstandings about the meaning of a verse. Gregs
emphasis is to never read A bible verse. Always read a section of
verses, the verses before and the verses after a verse in question.
When we see the Ephesians verse (bolded) in the context
of the verses around it, we see far more clearly the actual meaning.
Ephesians 4:21-25 (ESV) But that is not the way you learned
Christ!assuming that you have heard about him and were
taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self,
which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt
through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of
your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the
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www.gotquestions.org
www.openbible.info/topics
www.summit.org/resources/summit-lecture-series/archive
www.trinitytheology.org
https://lumina.bible.org/bible/Matthew+1#
Chuck Missler Learn the Bible in 24 hours
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMmOVv3R_NY&list=PLOO
3qLy97ctkaJOCut9PHUc5XaSrN1MFX&index=1
THE BIBLE PROJECT
www.youtube.com/user/jointhebibleproject
Overview series of the Bible with creative animations.
BIBLE MEMORIZATION
www.pursuinglife.com/biblememory.php
http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/tips/scripture-
memorization-11634857.html
www.memverse.com
www.free-online-bible-study.com/memorize-bible-verses.html
GRACE CHAPEL BIBLE INSTITUTE Grace Chapels excellent Bible Class
http://gclancaster.com/index.php/audio-2/serieslist/ministry/8
This is a college level class without the need to go to college, and is the best
Bible class Ive ever taken!
GODS PROMISES IN THE BIBLE
www.intouch.org/you/gods-promises
www.smilegodlovesyou.org/promises.html
www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/gods-promises.aspx
DEVOTIONALS
www.devotionalsforteens.blogspot.com
www.365promises.com
31 ONLINE RESOURCES FOR BIBLE RESEARCH (Links)
www.credocourses.com/blog/2015/31-online-resources-for-
bible-research-links/
FREE APOLOGETICS BIBLE STUDY DOWNLOADS
www.apologeticsbible.com/free-study-downloads/
www.apologeticsbible.com/mobile-apps/
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* CHURCH
One of the most important things you can do for your own
growth as a Christian is to be involved in a Bible believing church
which provides solid Biblical teaching. Ive heard more than a few
Christians when asked indicate that that they didnt need to go to
church to be saved, and that they were just fine.
From the standpoint of being saved by Jesus payment for
our sin and our going to an eternity in Heaven, that is true. Others
mistakenly believe that attending a church makes one a Christian.
Going through the previous SALVATION section should effectively
answer that misunderstanding.
Even though being involved in a church isnt required for
salvation, being involved in a healthy Biblical church provides
significant benefits for us as Christians. It provides the opportunity
to assemble with others of similar mindset, be encouraged by them,
be an encouragement to them, and provides for us a resource for
learning and growing as Christians. Being involved also provides
an opportunity to serve and be accountable in our Christian life.
Without this connection to a healthy church, the distractions of the
world give us a distorted view of life and what is really important,
and the temptations of the world create competition for our focus on
Christ.
WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS GO TO CHURCH? HOW IMPORTANT IS IT?
http://christiananswers.net/q-acb/acb-t009.html
6 WONDERFUL BENEFITS OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
http://christianpf.com/benefits-of-church-membership
THE LIFE BENEFITS OF REGULAR CHURCH ATTENDANCE
www.sundaysoftware.com/stats.htm
* DECISION MAKING
Throughout life we will make choices. Choices about both
minor and major things. Similar to the examples indicated
previously with my sons, as to money and time, choices in other
areas of life are similar. When we make a certain choice, we are
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* EMPLOYMENT
Since most of us will spend about 45 years of our lives
working, this is a very important part of our lives. The attitudes of
many younger workers today is often looked at by employers as
very self-centered. Theyve found that many younger workers dont
want to work hard but they want more money.
If you are employed, think about the character you display
at work. Are you giving your employer one hour of work for each
hour they are paying you to be there, or do you spend some of that
time on personal activities like texting, surfing, on the phone, etc.?
If you arent doing what you are paid to do during the time you are
at work, you are technically taking money for doing something other
than what you were hired for. Remember in the previous section,
what taking something that doesnt belong to us is called? To make
this more clear, is there anything you are doing at work that you
wouldnt do if your employer were standing right behind you? If so,
you are taking pay for work you are not doing.
As a Christian it is important to remember that we are
ultimately working for God. Realizing that we work for God and not
an employer should motivate us to work to do our best in whatever
work we are employed in. And remember, God sees everything.
Think back to the questions I raised about how we spend our time.
Since we ultimately work for God, how would God view how we
spend His time at our employment? Would he give us a raise, a
reprimand, or would we deserve to be fired?
Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for
the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you
will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving
the Lord Christ."
Considering the poor and unfortunately too often accurate
impression many employers have of younger workers, as a
Christian you have an opportunity to change that impression by
being different than what many employers and non-Christian co-
workers have come to expect from younger Christian employees.
If you can give your employer a different impression than what they
are expecting, and change their beliefs about at least one younger
worker (you), then when they find out that you are a Christian, you
might change their impression of Christianity too.
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www.brighthub.com/office/career-
planning/articles/77757.aspx
ZIG ZIGLAR - DISCIPLINE AND COMMITMENT
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7cR352z2KE
ZIG ZIGLAR - BEING AN OVERCOMER
WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=B7MVJB_JQQO
NO ARMS, NO LEGS, NO WORRIES
WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=WGAKZSTVES4
NICK VUJICIC - ATTITUDE IS ALTITUDE.COM / Life Without Limbs.org
WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=AJVEOLPLIG8
THE INCREDIBLE LOVE STORY OF NICK VUJICIC AND HIS WIFE
WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=S3QEZBVN1BE
LEARN TO LIVE THE LIFE GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO
WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=E0ORBKBRYNY
* ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment is a very important consideration for our
spiritual lives as Christians. Many Christians will honor God with
their lips one day a week, and dishonor Him the rest of the week.
They do this through the choices they make in how they spend their
free time; the activities and entertainment choices they make in
music, movies, magazines and books.
Matthew 15:8 "These people honor me with their lips, but
their hearts are far from me".
Do you consider God when you make entertainment
choices? I am writing this section after the opening weekend of a
major movie release. The reviews for this movie indicates there are
over 100 F-bombs, and reviewers classified the movie similar to
what porn movies were in the past. This movie made a huge profit
the first weekend, meaning that a huge number of people spent
money to see it. Considering the amount of people who saw it,
there were undoubtedly many Christians who saw it as well. I saw
a movie in 2009, which was a remake of what was an excellent
movie in the 70s. I didnt check the review before I saw it because
I thought that due to the major actors starring in it, it would be
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acceptable. I checked the review after I had seen it and the review
indicated there were over 100 F-bombs in it. I left the theatre
thinking the way I would describe the movie is the following: Id
like an order of F-bomb, and can you supersize it and throw in a
side of movie? I know that God was not honored by my watching
the movie.
It has been proven that we become desensitized to content
as we allow ourselves increased exposure to it. I remember
hearing Wayne Stockstill, a pastor on the radio, recount going into
a video rental store before Redbox and Amazon. He found that
this store rented adult videos. He also noticed the cashier was a
woman in his church. She indicated that it used to, but it didnt
anymore. He then asked her, Does it bother you that it
doesnt bother you anymore? How many things do we accept
now that we would have avoided in the past?
WHY ARE CHRISTIAN WOMEN WATCHING 'FIFTY SHADES OF GREY'?
www.christianpost.com/news/why-are-christian-women-
watching-fifty-shades-of-grey-135272/
DESENSITIZATION DUE TO MEDIA
https://suite.io/latisha-robinson/4yam2gm
https://childrensmedia2day.wordpress.com
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/134/5/877.full
QUOTES BY NON-CHRISTIAN MUSICIANS, ABOUT FAMILY,
CHRISTIANITY AND RELIGION
www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=154679
www.thugexposed.com/satanism-music
WORLDVIEWS IN THE MOVIES
www.worldvieweyes.org/resources/CIY-
Conference-Materials/WVs-in-movies.htm
(A good list of questions to think of when watching
movies, TV, commercials, listening to music, etc.)
of movies before you watch them. The first group of sites below
review the content of most of the current movies and the
message/worldview promoted by the movie. The second group of
sites provide a listing of different non-Christian music artists, and
the similar styled Christian alternatives to the non-Christian
artists/bands. How would you evaluate your entertainment
choices? What entertainment choices would you change to honor
God?
SITES WHICH SHOW REVIEWS FOR MOVIES AND MUSIC (Plugged In)
PLUGGED IN www.pluggedin.com
MOVIEGUIDE www.movieguide.org
CHRISTIAN ANSWERS www.christiananswers.net/spotlight
CHRISTIAN ALTERNATIVES TO NON-CHRISTIAN MUSIC
http://extreme-youth.com/Christian_music_comparison.html
http://christianmusic.com/genres/christian-alternative-music.htm
http://christianmusic.about.com/library/blcomparea.htm
www.teenink.com/hot_topics/what_matters/article/372592/Secu
lar-Music-Vs-Christian-Music
Lastly, what if you find yourself watching a movie or listening
to something that you realize doesnt honor God? You can always
leave or turn it off. A Christian music group from the 80s, FARRELL
AND FARRELL, last verse in their song People In A Box went,
When will we learn that OFF is as easy to turn as ON? Ive
walked out of a few movies before because I realized that to stay
would not honor God. Ive also wished that I had walked out of
others. God will always honor your choices when you choose to
honor Him. Here are the very insightful lyrics for the entire song:
www.farrellandfarrell.com/images/PEOPLE%20IN%20A%20BOX.pdf
* FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness is an area that many people seem to have
much confusion about it. This section should provide you with a
reasonably good understanding of forgiveness. Like the subject of
salvation, there are a number of verses about forgiveness
throughout the guide. However, only seeing a few of the individual
verses might give a limited understanding.
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as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become
like wool.
14 QUESTIONS ON FORGIVENESS
www.presentationministries.com/publications/14Quest.asp
ANSWERING THE HARD QUESTIONS ABOUT FORGIVENESS
www.gty.org/resources/positions/P05/answering-the-hard-
questions-about-forgiveness
BIBLE VERSES ABOUT FORGIVENESS: 20 ENCOURAGING QUOTES
www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-
forgiveness-20-encouraging-scripture-quotes/
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS
www.smallgroups.com/meeting-builder/bible-study-
extras/power-of-forgiveness.html?paging=off
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* PRAYER
Prayer is the opportunity to communicate with the God who
created the entire Universe out of nothing! Most of us so often take
this fact for granted. Think about the person you would consider
the most important person in the world. The person that comes to
my mind is the President of the United States. What if you had their
direct line and could call them anytime, and they would always
answer? Now think about having this opportunity with the God of
the Universe. Realize that everyone alive, over 6 billion people,
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eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul
said was true.
It is important to remember with prayer that God does not
always answer in our time, nor in the way that we want him to. God
knows everything, sees the entire picture, and has all knowledge
and all wisdom to be able to make the absolute best decision.
When thinking about God answering prayer, we need to remember
that the answer may not be Yes, and it may not be No. The
answer may simply be, Not now.
Something else to consider. When Jesus was God in
human flesh, He prayed to God the Father. If Jesus is God in
human flesh and prayed to God the Father, how much more do we
need to be praying to God?
12 BIBLE VERSES TO SHOW HOW JESUS PRAYED
http://ipost.christianpost.com/news/12-bible-verses-to-
show-how-jesus-prayed-10779/
10 BIBLE VERSES THAT TEACH US HOW JESUS PRAYED
www.crosswalk.com/blogs/kelly-balarie/10-bible-verses-
how-jesus-prayed.html
JESUS PRAYING
www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/cgi-
bin/search.cgi?zoom_query=jesus+pray&zoom_per_p
age=10
PRAYER DOES IT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE? Philip Yancey
A great quote from page 24,
I need the corrective vision of prayer because all
day long I will lose sight of Gods perspective.
Preview of the book:
https://books.google.com/books?id=qc1EeG8FVaIC&prints
ec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIANS
www.youtube.com/watch?v=53P-L7wu4h0
http://intouch.org/watch/new-believer/why-pray-what-is-
prayer-for-all-things
http://lifeteen.com/why-pray-truth-prayer
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http://studentsoul.intervarsity.org/why-pray
www.wycliffe.org/prayer/why-we-pray
www.monergism.com/topics/prayer/sovereignty-god-prayer
www.gotquestions.org/why-pray.html
www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/faith_in_life/
prayer/prayer_has_its_reasons.aspx
www.allaboutprayer.org/why-should-we-pray.htm
www.allaboutprayer.org/why-pray-faq.htm
www.oneplace.com/ministries/love-worth-
finding/read/articles/since-god-knows-everything-why-
should-we-pray-9549.html
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As you can see starting from the first verse in the above
passage, God views our unselfish love for others as the highest
ideal we can strive toward. Love is the foundation of all
relationships and the characteristic of our very being which God
points to as the greatest indicator of the state of our relationship
with him. No true relationship can exist in the absence of love.
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The free fall begins with a lie. Always. Every addict knows
this, and every addict dreads it - that first lie - the lie that
triggers the thought that leads to the action that ends in
regret. A lie starts the process
I believe that most people who commit suicide are
convinced by Satan that theyve lost everything, they are no good,
and that their families and friends would be better off without them.
I heard about a couple some years back where that happened and
the person who had hurt the other had thoughts of suicide, because
they realized the hurt they had caused and they believed that no
one would want to have anything to do with them again.
This person who had hurt the other believed that the other
would never want anything to do with them again, which is fully
understandable. However, the surprising thing is that the other
person actually showed them amazing forgiveness! What I
specifically remember which really impacted me was that when the
other person was told that they didnt deserve this, they replied If
we all got what we deserved, we would all go to hell.
What an amazing testament to this persons faith, and their
understanding of Gods forgivingness! The other person was
incredibly hurt and angry, but was still able to forgive. Not that
things were the same as before the revelation that caused the hurt,
but that they could see how all of us have sinned and offended our
Holy God. And rather than God giving us what we deserve, he had
taken the wrath upon Himself.
Think again about the 1 Corinthians 13:13 passage above.
God places a higher value on our having love for others than he
places on all of the following:
Speaking in the tongues of angels,
Having prophetic powers
Understanding all mysteries and all knowledge
Having a faith that moves mountains
Giving away all that I have
Allowing myself to be tortured for a cause
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illustrates this is, Be in the world but not of the world. This
comes from the following passage:
John 17:1415 I have given them your word, and the world
has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I
am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of
the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
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* TEMPTATION
Carm.org has one of the best single-sentence definitions for
temptation Ive seen. The definition is broad, but very simple:
TEMPTATION IS THAT WHICH MOVES US TO SIN
https://carm.org/dictionarytemptation
I mentioned earlier about temptation and that it is always a
motivation to for us to consider ourselves above others. When we
think about it, can one be tempted to do good? No. The aspect of
temptation that makes giving into it a sin is always rooted in our
selfish desire to think of ourselves first. Giving into temptation is sin
because it is acting on that selfish desire, and giving in to selfish
desires is always detrimental to relationships. The root of all
temptation is selfishness.
Other things to continuously remind ourselves of are that
Satan does not take vacations, and he has had thousands of years
to perfect the effectiveness of his skills.
In the previous section, in 1 Corinthians 13:13 we see the
critical importance God places on relationships through His contrast
between love and many other things. Without love nothing else we
do, or can do, or have, or be matters to even the slightest degree.
In the previous section on Relationships, Love, and Sin we see
that selfishness and selfish motives hurt relationships which are so
very important to God.
Sometimes we are motivated to do what initially seems
noble and honorable, but we go about achieving those goals in a
different way than what God intends. Philip De Courcy in his series
Battle Ready (www.ktt.org/battleready) states about TEMPTATION
that many times the goal seems to be something legitimate.
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CREDIT / DEBT
Is using credit sin? It depends. When we at times have a
need to use credit to purchase a house, perform a major repair of a
vehicle, the replacement of a vehicle or other legitimate and
necessary purchase, it isnt sin. However, when we knowingly use
credit to gain things that are wants and not needs, when we use
credit to acquire things we cant afford, it probably is. When it
comes to debt, the Bible has great insight. There are also sites
below with great information on finances and debt.
Proverbs 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower
is the slave of the lender.
Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will
hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one
and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
GAMBLING
Is gambling a sin? That depends. What is the motivation
behind the desire to gamble? Ive mentioned to our sons that some
people gamble as a form of entertainment. Like budgeting a certain
amount of money to go to dinner and a movie, they budget a certain
amount of money to gamble, because they like gambling as a form
of entertainment. I dont believe that the Bibles teaching would
consider this a sin.
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desire to make money to help others with the money, and then
found themselves consumed with the desire to just make more
money. With the temptation for more, the desire changed from
helping others to simply gaining more.
Remembering the following may help to resist temptation
better in the future. The desire to give in to the temptation will
always be stronger than the desire to resist it. Remember also who
is behind the temptation. It is Satan, a created being, and he is only
interested in our destruction, and in causing pain to God. God, who
has created us and loves us so much that Jesus Christ died on the
cross for our sin. It is he who wants the best for us and wants us to
resist temptation. Remember also that God will allow difficulties
and temptations because they are the primary way that we can
develop characteristics he wants to grow in our lives; characteristics
that we wont be able to develop further once we pass into eternity.
Think about what tempts you. How could you honor God by
resisting it, and what characteristics is God wanting to grow in you
through the temptation? It isnt that we should look forward to being
tempted, but if God is allowing temptation in our lives, maybe we
should look at that temptation as a way to develop strength in
characteristics which God desires us to have and that Satan does
not want us to have. Each of us has to determine who we will serve.
Some mistakenly believe that God temps us, that he is
responsible for the temptation we experience. But is allowing
temptation the same as causing temptation? What does the Bible
say?
JAMES 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being
tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and
he himself tempts no one.
DOES GOD TEMPT US TO SIN?
www.gotquestions.org/God-tempt-us-to-sin.html
DOES GOD TEMPT PEOPLE OR NOT?
https://carm.org/does-god-tempt-people
DOES GOD TEMPT?
www.tektonics.org/gk/godtempt.php
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hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who
is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in
every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Think again about your thought life and your character.
They are fully exposed to God. He knows us better than we know
ourselves. What are you allowing to feed your thoughts? Like other
things already indicated, we can only think of one thing at a time. If
we are allowing ourselves to think and dwell on one thing, we are
automatically choosing not to think about something else.
In the book Every Mans Challenge, (Stephen Arterburn
and Fred Stoeker) the following are a few of the questions posed to
the reader:
Do you linger at the lingerie section of a newspaper ad?
Do you watch womens gymnastics, and other womens sports
to see the uniforms, not because you really like the sport?
Do you pass a cute girl and think to yourself, nice ____ (fill the
blank with a body part).
I thought of a question related to this one.
Do you pass a cute girl and find it easy to remember certain
anatomical details, but find it hard to remember her face?
Again, remember where I mentioned the resources of TIME
and MONEY. When you spend some of either resource on
something, you are automatically choosing not to spend that
resource on something else.
Think about this applying to your thoughts. It has been
proven that the human mind can only think about one thing at a
time. Some have a better ability to quickly switch between things
that they think of, but even those persons are still only able to think
about one thing at a time. So our thoughts are similar to time and
money, in that when we choose to think about something we
automatically choose not to think about something else. When we
choose to dwell on something that doesnt glorify God and which
could lead to acting on that thought, we automatically choose not to
think on things that are glorifying to God. When we dwell on lustful
thoughts, we are choosing to not dwell on Godly thoughts. Think
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about the following two verses and then think about your thought
life in comparison to them.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you
may discern what is the will of God, what is good and
acceptable and perfect.
1 PETER 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the
devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone
to devour.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever
is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence,
if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
THOUGHTS AND THE MIND
www.openbible.info/topics/thoughts_and_the_mind
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Luke 9:51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up,
he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
This phrase set his face was explained by our pastor as Jesus
Christ being fully determined to accomplish his goal. If Jesus was
so passionate to pay for our sin, then shouldnt we be passionate in
our efforts to avoid sin and not give into it? I hope the above
realizations will help you to resist temptation in the future.
The following sites will give you good information on our
thoughts and temptation, and recommendations as to how to
recognize it and keep it from controlling your life.
SOW A THOUGHTREAP A DESTINY
https://whatheisteachingme.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/sow
-a-thought-reap-a-destiny
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/character-development-
donna-kazenske-sermon-on-character-60405.asp
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT TEMPTATION
http://bibleresources.org/temptation
http://whatsaiththescripture.com/Fellowship/What.Bible.Says
.Temptation.html
WHEN TEMPTATION APPEARS
www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/when-temptation-
appears-1220961.html
HOW DOES ONE GAIN VICTORY OVER TEMPTATION?
http://christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-g005.html
HOW TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION
http://bibleseo.com/matthew/overcome-temptation
TOP 8 WAYS FOR CHRISTIAN TEENS TO AVOID AND OVERCOME
TEMPTATION
http://christianteens.about.com/od/advice/tp/OvercomeTempata.htm
7 TIPS TO AVOID TEMPTATION
www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/7-tips-to-avoid-
temptation
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AUDIO/VIDEO
GOD IS BETTER - FRANCIS CHAN
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-pLRM0rgjE
WHEN SIN LOOKS MORE ENJOYABLE THAN GOD - FRANCIS CHAN
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iszVTWUGQQM
BATTLE READY - PHILIP DE COURCY
A Study of Jesus Victory in the Wilderness
www.ktt.org/battle-ready
* TIME MANAGEMENT
You have probably heard about the subject of Time
Management. Time management is the practice of managing your
time so that you most effectively use it. Remember again that time
is given to us from God. It is a resource which cannot be saved,
must be spent, and everyone receives the same amount of. The
only choice we have is how we spend the time we are given, and
when we choose to spend time doing one thing, we automatically
have chosen not to spend time to do something else.
While time management principals primarily deal with how to
most productively use our time, they dont determine which goals
are important and which goals arent, as indicated by the Bible. As
Christians we can use these principals to more effectively use the
time God has given us, so that we use the time for His goals and
His glory.
One realization to make when we are thinking about how we
use the time God has given us, is that we can find ourselves quite
busy at times seemingly doing Gods work. The reality some have
found is that they are mistaking being busy for spiritual
effectiveness. They are so caught up in being busy that they
havent thought about what they are busy with, and if their activity
really is what God wants from them.
In the book of Revelations we see Gods criticism of the
church in Sardis. Rev 3:1 I know your works. You have the
reputation of being alive, but you are dead.'
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www.youtube.com/results?search_query=michael+ramsden&spf
reload=1
www.bethinking.org/author/michael-ramsden
Ron Rhodes http://ronrhodes.org
www.youtube.com/results?search_query="Ron+Rhodes+"
Hugh Ross www.reasons.org
www.youtube.com/results?search_query="Hugh+Ross"
Ken Samples www.apologetics315.com/search/label/Kenneth%20Samples
Jonathan D. Sarfati http://creationwiki.org/Jonathan_Sarfati
http://creation.com/dr-jonathan-d-sarfati
www.youtube.com/results?search_query="dr.+jonathan+Sarfati"
Francis Schaeffer www.apologetics315.com/search/label/Francis%20Schaeffer
http://www.labri-ideas-library.org/lecture-list.asp?s=5
www.youtube.com/results?search_query="Francis+Schaeffer"
Mary Jo Sharp www.confidentchristianity.blogspot.com
www.youtube.com/results?search_query="Mary+Jo+Sharp"
James Sire www.apologetics315.com/search/label/James%20Sire
R.C.Sproul www.ligonier.org
www.apologetics315.com/search/label/R.C.Sproul
www.youtube.com/results?search_query="R.C.Sproul"
Lee Strobel http://leestrobel.com/
www.apologetics315.com/search/label/Lee%20Strobel
www.youtube.com/results?search_query="Lee+Strobel"
Frank Turek http://crossexamined.org/
www.apologetics315.com/search/label/Frank%20Turek
www.youtube.com/user/TurekVideo
J. Warner Wallace http://pleaseconvinceme.com/
http://coldcasechristianity.com/
www.apologetics315.com/search/label/Jim%20Wallace
www.youtube.com/user/pleaseconvinceme
Jay Wegter http://gospelforlife.org/sermons/
www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?SpeakerOnly=true&currSecti
on=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Jay%5EWegter
www.youtube.com/user/MrJwegter
James White www.aomin.org
www.apologetics315.com/search/label/James%20White
www.youtube.com/user/AominOrg
Dallas Willard http://www.dwillard.org/resources/Default.asp
Ravi Zacharias www.rzim.org
www.apologetics315.com/search/label/Ravi%20Zacharias
www.youtube.com/results?search_query="Ravi+Zacharias"
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* TERMINOLOGY
The following are many terms you will find when studying Apologetics.
Searching for them as in the following examples should give you a high probability of
finding a Christian perspective on the term.
Examples: Worldview and Christian and Secular Humanism and Christian
(Putting words in quotation marks will give you more accurate search results)
Absolutes Epistemology Pluralism
Agnosticism Ethics Presupposition
Anthropic Principle Evangelism Prophesy
Apologetics Fallacy Relativism
Argument Hermeneutics Secular Humanism
From Design Inclusivism Scientific -
Atheism Intelligent Design Naturalism
Christianity Irreducible - Teleological -
Cosmological Complexity Argument
Argument Logic Theology
Creationism Moral Argument Tolerance
Cult Morality Truth
Dead Sea Scrolls Ontological Worldview
Design Arguments Argument
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FREE ONLINE APOLOGETICS TRAINING
www.apologetics315.com/2012/05/31-actions-to-advance-
apologetics.html
www.apologeticscourses.com
http://apologetics.theologytraining.com
www.apologeticspress.org/homestudycourses.aspx
www.apologeticstraining.com
http://christiancourses.com (click "Courses"-"Free Courses")
http://christian-apologetics.org
www.cslewisinstitute.org/Basic_Apologetics_Course
www.free-bible-study.org/apologetics.html
http://freebibleseminary.net http://freecourses.org
www.knowwhatyoubelieve.com
http://pleaseconvinceme.com/academy
http://thegospelcoalition.org/resources/topic-index
www.trinitytheology.org
http://youthapologeticstraining.com/
The following online schools are not specifically APOLOGETIC, but
appear to offer a number of free courses in theological education
TRINITY SCHOOL
www.trinitytheology.org/courses-offered/
INTERNATIONAL SEMINARY FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION IN THEOLOGY
http://isdet.com
BIBLE.ORG THEOLOGY PROGRAM
https://bible.org/article/theology-program
BIBLICAL TRAINING
www.biblicaltraining.org
www.biblicaltraining.org/classes/all
www.biblicaltraining.org/seminars
SOUTHEASTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
www.sebts.edu/distance/mooc/default.aspx
WORLDVIEW WEEKEND ONLINE ACADEMY
www.worldviewweekend.com/academy/topics.php#topic84
THINKING CLEARLY - Greg Koukl - 4 part series
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcLIDtrKzpg&list=PLGzZYVID5fAH
oXiLf_l16gUtc4dToNEOu
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www.inplainsite.org/html/asinine_assault.html
http://creation.com/countering-the-critics-questions-and-answers
SHORT ANSWERS TO BIG QUESTIONS - VIDEOS
http://www.rzim.ca/events/sabq/
CULTS
www.apologetics315.com/search/label/Cults
http://carm.org/cults-outline-analysis
http://theologicalresources.wordpress.com (links in right column)
PROPHESY
www.allaboutthejourney.org/power-of-prophecy.htm
www.faithfacts.org/search-for-truth/maps/fulfilled-prophecy-as-evidence
www.reasons.org/articles/articles/fulfilled-prophecy-evidence-for-the-reliability-of-the-bible
WORLDVIEW
www.marketfaith.org/worldview-resources
www.christianworldview.net/resources/worldview-ministries
(Listing of organizations with information about worldviews)
www.compellingtruth.org/Christian-worldview.html
www.gotquestions.org/Christian-worldview.html
www.inplainsite.org/html/world_views.html
www.projectworldview.org/worldviews.htm
www.thepoachedegg.net www.worldview.org/podcast
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CREATION EVOLUTION
I have included this topic not only because of its cultural
importance but also because it is used as one of the primary
arguments against the existence of God. I have also gone into
greater detail with this topic because of the significance of the
controversy and the many confusions that people seem to have
about the facts of the subject.
Many believe science has proven that Evolution has
happened, and because of this many uninformed Christians either
believe that God must have used Evolution, or they eventually
abandon their belief in God because of the seemingly convincing
arguments presented. As I have emphasized considering evidences
throughout this guide, what is the best conclusion based on the
evidences which exist?
WHY DOES THE DEBATE ABOUT EVOLUTION MATTER?
www.str.org/quickthoughts/why-does-the-debate-about-evolution-matter
As with the terms TRUTH and MORALITY, it is also important
to understand the definitions of the terms dealing with the CREATION-
EVOLUTION CONTROVERSY. The terms SCIENCE, EVOLUTION, and
CREATION, have more than one definition depending on how the term
is used, and the understanding of the person using or hearing the
term. When in conversation about Creationism and/or Evolution, it
can be very helpful to use the first TACTICS question? What do you
mean by that?
People will say that Evolution has been proven, but which
Evolution are they referring to? The term EVOLUTION can mean
different things, and unless you understand the specific meaning
being referred to you wont know which definition the person is
indicating. Two of the specific categories of Evolution are
MICROEVOLUTION, and MACROEVOLUTION. These terms are used to
describe the process. There are two additional terms; NATURALISTIC
EVOLUTION, and THEISTIC EVOLUTION. These describe how the
process of evolution got started in the first place.
MICROEVOLUTION, better understood as TRANSITION, is
defined as variances within a species over time. Examples of this
would be changes in the size and shape of the beak of a bird, the
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DATING
Modesty can also be a consideration in our dating actions too.
The dating world can be a great challenge for Christian students, and
their ability to maintain a standard of modesty. I believe that the
following scenario encompasses many of the situations Christian
students find themselves in, and the conflicts they are forced to deal
with. I hope the questions in this section help to give you a more
complete perspective in this challenging area.
Suppose that you found out an attractive and popular person
wanted to date you but you didnt know much about them. Others would
think you were crazy if you were to turn down a date offer from this
person. You decide to agree to go on a date with them but then found
out before the date that they usually dated people who were willing to
be quite intimate with them. And maybe that this person had
expectations as to what they felt they were entitled to because they
were spending money on the date. Would you still accept the date, or
would you cancel knowing that others would look at you as THAT TYPE
OF STUDENT who turned down a date with one who others would jump
at the chance to date?
This may seem like a difficult question but if you think about the
following questions, they might help to put this scenario in perspective.
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POLITICS
Politics has become increasingly volatile for Christians to
express an opinion about, or for them to even being involved in. Many
people are calling more and more issues Political, with the effect being
that Christians are left feeling that they have to be less involved,
believing the phrase Christians shouldnt be involved in politics or
political issues.
Politicians are the people whose job it is to make and pass laws.
As Christians, we are to be about the job of changing hearts. We should
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HOMOSEXUALITY
This is another dividing issue in our culture and also in some
churches. Some churches, Christians, and many Christian students
seem to be unclear as to what the Bibles position is on same sex
relationships. After all, if two people love each other, then what could
be wrong? This section will give you resources to learn the Bibles
position on this subject, as well as the reasons behind the Bibles
position and how we need to respond to this issue.
I have included this topic specifically because it causes so much
criticism of Christians. Many non-Christians believe that Christianity
teaches that homosexuality is a sin far worse than other sins.
Considering most non-Christians dont consider it a sin, this belief
contributes toward their feeling that Christians are intolerant. This is not
the case. Remember, all sin is an offense to God, and any sin which
isnt forgiven by God is enough to keep a person out of heaven for
eternity. We are all sinners, and deserve hell. Only God can and did
pay the price for our sin so that we could have the opportunity to choose
to accept the price he paid for us, choose Him and live eternally with
him. As you can see by the following verse, the Bible classifies
homosexuality as no greater or lesser a sin than the others listed.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that the unrighteous
will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived:
neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy,
nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the
kingdom of God.
What is true is that all sin comes from us giving into the
temptation to think of ourselves above others, to give in to our selfish
desires. Whatever we are tempted with; be it money, power, sex,
etc., the temptation is to choose our will over Gods will for us. When
we choose our will, knowing that Gods will is different, it is sin. And
any sin is enough to damage our relationship with God to the point
of being separated from him. Unless we choose to accept His will
for our lives, and accept the price He paid to provide us with eternal
life, we are going our way. The Bible shows where our way leads.
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Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its
end is the way to death.
I indicated earlier that God will not force His will on us. He
allows us to choose His way or our own way, and He will respect the
choice we make. So will each of us follow Him or ourselves? He
pursues us while we are alive here, and he has sacrificed His own
son to prove His love for us. He paid the debt that we owe, so that
we have the opportunity to choose Him. He has done everything
that can be done, but He cannot choose for us. And once we pass
from this life, the opportunity to choose him is gone forever. The
God who created the Universe came into time and space to provide
us the opportunity of an eternal life with Him, but again, its our
choice.
If you are a follower of Christ and have looked down on
anyone who is a homosexual, I would suggest that you look at your
own life and see if you are guilty of any of the other sins listed in just
this passage. Even if only in our thoughts, all of us are guilty of at
least one of these sins listed, just like the Ten Commandments. If
you dont accept the Biblical position on this or other topics, then you
are making the Bible say what you want it to. You are making it into
something other than what it is, Gods Word to us.
We are all sinners, and because we are so loved by God, He
paid the greatest price so that we could spend eternity with Him.
HOMOSEXUALITY: COMPASSION AND CLARITY Sean McDowell
This is a powerful message showing the importance of our being
compassionate when discussing this issue.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7a2RJgAGcM
TIM KELLER ON HOMOSEXUALITY
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dY0ZTuFGCE
WHAT DO CHRISTIANS HAVE AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY?
Tim Keller at Veritas [8 OF 11]
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZFCB9sduxQ
RAVI ZACHARIAS ON THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF HOMOSEXUALITY
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPYRXop7aPA
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MODESTY
When looking at TV shows, movies, commercials, magazines,
billboards, and the selection of clothing we see being worn, it is easy to
conclude that our culture has an obsession with sexuality. What does
the Bible say? Weve already seen Matthew 5:28:
Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a
woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with
her in his heart.
See the other verses listed here: www.openbible.info/topics/modesty
To see the importance in the way a woman dresses and how
this effects guys, check the first link below. To see information about
studies showing scientific evidence about how guys view a woman
when she dresses immodestly, check the second link below.
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Guys, this will be a challenge for most of you for your entire life.
This temptation to lust does not go away, and you will need to decide
every day, and sometimes multiple times each day, whether you will
control this temptation or allow it to control you.
Girls, when you think of the description Jay gave of the woman
walking in front of Dr. Chafer and the young student, what very popular
garment for women could be compared to a skin tight leotard? Can
someone say YOGA PANTS? Im sure they are very comfortable, but so
many women are wearing them and they dont even seem to realize the
thoughts guys are having about them. Its not right for a guy to not
control his thoughts, but do are the types of thoughts you want to
encourage in guys? My purpose in sharing this information is so that
as a woman you will know what many guys are thinking. If the guy is
not a Christian, they dont really have any reason to control their
thoughts and think otherwise. Do they?
OVERCOMING LUST
www.thestraitgate.org/devotionals/faith-at-work-devotional/overcoming-lust-part-one
www.thestraitgate.org/devotionals/faith-at-work-devotional/overcoming-lust-part-two
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES www.overcoming-lust.com/articles
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT OVERCOMING LUST?
www.gotquestions.org/overcoming-lust.html
KEYS TO POWERFUL LIVING: OVERCOMING LUST
www.cbn.com/spirituallife/cbnteachingsheets/keys-Overcoming_Lust.aspx
HOW TO OVERCOME LUST http://brotherjohn.org/how-to-overcome-lust
OVERCOMING LUST Book Preview
https://books.google.com/books?id=djvKy3iTDp4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=o
vercoming+lust
PORNOGRAPHY
Pornography is another significant threat to a persons
Christian witness and their walk with the Lord. It has caused people
to lose their jobs, in some cases ruined their marriage and family
relationships, and in cases of illegal pornography, imprisonment.
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Ill list first the tool which all of the panelists indicated as one
of the most important. That tool is having an ACCOUNTABILITY
PARTNER. This is a person you partner with to keep you accountable
in your goal of resisting a temptation, and being open with them in
both your successes and failures in resisting those temptations. As
you can imagine, knowing that you will have to confess to another
person your failure is very motivational in not giving in to a
temptation.
ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
WHAT IS AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER?
www.covenanteyes.com/support-articles/what-is-an-
accountability-partner/
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CHRISTIAN ACCOUNTABILITY
www.allaboutgod.com/christian-accountability.htm
WHY AN ACCOUNTIBILITY PARTNER IS VITAL TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH
http://christianity.about.com/od/singlesresources/qt/JB-
Accountability-Partners.htm
CHRISTIAN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER: A BEGINNERS GUIDE
http://barbraveling.com/2015/03/04/christian-accountability-
partners-a-beginners-guide/
10 STEPS TO FINDING A GREAT ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
www.covenanteyes.com/2013/03/08/accountability-partner-
script/
HERE ARE OTHER TOOLS THE PANEL RECOMMENDED.
If you are single, the tools referencing a spouse wont yet apply.
However, you could instead use your family in place of a wife.
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6LXhOTKAhUEyGMKHfW2AkkQ6AEIHTAA#v=onepage&q=
%22temptations%20men%20face%22&f=false
Previews of other books in this category
www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q="temptations+men+face"
FINALLY FREE - Heath Lambert Book Preview
https://books.google.com/books?id=nQWdWY6qDYsC&printsec
=frontcover&dq=%22finally+free%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ah
UKEwjr7r7IjeTKAhVR-GMKHX2-
Cj8QuwUILTAA#v=onepage&q=%22finally%20free%22&f=f
alse
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this to prove his love for you, and did it before you or I could change
and become better!
How highly are you valued by God? You can tell by what He
was willing to sacrifice, His Son? You are of infinite worth to Him! If
you know that God loves you this much, how much do you need the
selfishly motivated affections of the kind of guy who would ask this
question of you? Yes, another question with an obvious answer.
You dont need the kind of love that one like this has.
If this selfish immature guy persists further by saying, But
everyone is doing it, you should respond, Great! You shouldnt
have any problem finding someone to satisfy your immature
need. I thought of one more possible follow up response if the guy
is very persistent (and not getting the hint), But I want to do it with
you. Your response should be, No, you want to do it with
anyone.
And considering the scenario of getting engaged. Could a
guy deep down use getting engaged as a justification to be sexually
intimate? Is there a significant difference between a guy saying, If
you loved me you would and Since were engaged, we
should?
Remember, you are of infinite worth to God, as evidenced by
Christs decision to die on the cross to pay the incredible price
required because of our sin. If you are worth this much to God and
he loves you so much, do you think you need to get any proof of your
value from a person who is only concerned about their own selfish
desires; a person who has such disregard for you, your safety, and
your confidence?
Tim Keller contrasts the difference between a guy like this
and Jesus. Tim mentioned that a man who does this is essentially
saying I want you to give your life for me, (to fulfill my wants,
while Jesus says, Ive given my life for you, (to fulfill all your
needs and give you eternal life). Jesus wants so much more for you
than to fulfill some guys selfish desires.
Can you see now why God has designed the intimacy of sex
to be shared only within the marriage between one man and one
woman, and only between those two people for life? As a young
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MY STORY
When my wife and I were dating and then engaged, we had
already made the decision that we would not be sexually intimate till
our wedding night. One of her friends asked her, Dont you want
to make sure you are both compatible physically before you get
married? Shouldnt you both TRY IT OUT so that you know
everything will work, like trying on a pair of shoes? Using the
SHOES illustration, my wife responded to her, Hugo doesnt want
to buy a pair of shoes that have already been tried on by other
people. Also, think about this logically. With millions and millions
of marriages happening since the beginning of mankind, it is pretty
easy to conclude that the physical aspect of the marriage
relationship is virtually guaranteed to work just fine.
If you are a virgin, hopefully you have decided to remain so
till marriage. Hopefully, knowing how valuable you are to God, how
much He loves you, and that the earlier illustrations showing how
much you stand to lose gives you encouragement to wait until
marriage. You may have friends who have already made the
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decision to give away their virginity, and they are giving you a hard
time and/or are pressuring you to lose your virginity. An effective
response Ive heard to answer them is,
Any time I want, I can become just like you.
But you can never again become just like me.
You may no longer be a virgin because of a mistake youve
made in your past, and have now decided to remain pure until
marriage. If youve not already asked God to forgive you of these
mistakes I encourage you to do so. He is the God of forgiveness
and second chances. If you have given away your virginity in the
past but are committed to remaining pure till marriage, you may still
be wondering how God can give you a second chance in this area.
Check out the following links for encouragement in your commitment
to now honor God in your physical life:
WHAT IS SECONDARY VIRGINITY?
www.reapteam.org/what-is-secondary-virginity
CAN YOU BECOME A VIRGIN AGAIN?
www.christianitytoday.com/iyf/hottopics/sexabstinence/can-you-
become-virgin-again.html
My wife was a virgin when we married, but I very regrettably
was not. While she had committed to save herself for her future
husband - even though we had never met - I had not saved myself
for her. I had given in to the lies of the culture; cost-free pleasure
and its not hurting anyone. In doing so, I sacrificed the gift I
should have been saving for her on our wedding night.
The Wedding Gift I ended up giving to my wife for our
marriage was to cause my wife to question herself for the first year
of our marriage. She questioned herself, wondering how she
compared to the other intimate relationships I had experienced in my
past. Even though we talked about my past before we married, she
still had concerns and doubts for the better part of the first year we
were married. Even though I repeatedly told her that she had
nothing to worry about, it didnt lessen her concern for almost the
first year of our marriage! I share this with you to encourage you to
remain committed to save yourself for your spouse on your wedding
night so that you dont bring this gift of doubt into your marriage,
as I had.
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www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=7&article=1726
WHY SHOULD I SAVE SEX FOR MARRIAGE?
http://christiananswers.net/q-sum/sum-f001.html
http://carm.org/fornication-sex-marriage-forgiven
www.ucg.org/christian-living/sex-outside-marriage-whats-big-deal/
SEX HAS A PRICE TAG PAM STENZEL GREAT PRESENTATION!
CHURCH VERSIONwww.youtube.com/watch?v=yigIdLStbwY
PUBLIC SCHOOL VERSION www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL48E0AE8ACB0DC78D
IS SEX ESSENTIAL FOR HAPPINESS?
www.breakpoint.org/tp-home/blog-archives/12985-is-sex-essential-to-happiness
THE GIFT OF SEX www.rogerswebsite.com/others/The-Gift-of-Sex.htm
MY BOYFRIEND WANTS TO HAVE SEX. I DON'T WANT TO LOSE HIM. WHAT
SHOULD I DO? (Could also apply to a Christian guy by his girlfriend)
www.christiananswers.net/q-dml/dml-y010.html
6 REASONS GOD CREATED SEX FOR MARRIAGE
http://stuffthatsrelevant.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/mark-driscoll-6-
reasons-why-god-created-sex-for-marriage/
IVE GOT SEX ON MY MIND
http://chadfisheronline.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/ive-got-sex-on-my-mind-part-1
ANSWERING THE GOD DOESNT WANT US TO HAVE FUN ARGUMENT
www.missiontoamerica.org/christianity/fun.html
SEX, LOVE, & RELATIONSHIPS - JOSH MCDOWELL
Pt 1 www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8VSA_jCTnM
Pt 2 www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA21Gnk3zuo
Pt 3 www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFKa3sxA-1g
STATISTICS, REALITY, AND RESOURCES
www.puritycoalition.org/web_page.html
http://createdforpurity.com/crisis/crisis.html
www.focusonthefamily.com/lifechallenges/love_and_sex/purity.aspx
http://disciplesforpurity.com/materials
www.premaritalsex.info
http://restoringsexualpurity.org
http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/topics/charctr_05_sexual_purity.cfm
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RECOMMENDED PODCASTS/APPS
http://pastormattblog.com/2014/01/31/the-three-apologetic-podcasts-
that-every-christian-should-subscribe-to/
http://thefailedatheist.com/2015/01/03/top-10-recommended-podcasts/
www.apologetics315.com/2007/10/16-best-apologetics-podcasts.html
www.credocourses.com/blog/2015/the-ultimate-list-of-christian-
apologetics-podcasts/
http://reasonabletheology.org/big-list-christian-podcasts/
www.str.org/apps
YOUTH APOLOGETICS TRAINING
http://youthapologeticstraining.com/apologetics-podcast-archive/
Also at:
www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=michaelboehm
www.str.org/apps
SHARING CHRIST PODCAST
http://everyschool.com/search/tags/sharing-christ/podcast
HOW TO SHARE YOUR FAITH PODCAST
http://everyschool.com/how-to-share-your-faith-podcast
http://everyschool.com/sharing-christ
http://everyschool.com/evidences-for-our-faith
CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW THINKING
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/christian-worldview-
thinking/id923066362?mt=2
462
463
ONLINE AUDIOBOOKS
KNOWING GOD JC Ryle
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2FD9xugRY8&list=PLvwgUlicDKGoq
qzLI-Yv3cCKQLCbOajfr
HOLINESS JC Ryle
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq8FDeBjG40&list=PLzOwqed_gET1b
xl9WiAqsleAfFhskne4q
DEBATES - www.apologetics315.com/search/label/debate
464
WHAT IS EVOLUTION?
www.allaboutscience.org/what-is-evolution-faq.htm
www.alwaysbeready.com/evolution
www.truthnet.org/Christianity/Apologetics/Evolutiontrue4
CAN WE TRUST THE OLD TESTAMENT?
www.cltruth.com/blog/2012/can-we-trust-the-old-testament
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfCWFix43E0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYG_-6DN4bQ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulCbh_1SlwE
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT CLONING?
www.seanmcdowell.org/index.php/ethics/what-does-the-bible-say-about-cloning
www.gotquestions.org/cloning-Christian.html
www.allaboutpopularissues.org/cloning-ethics.htm
IF I CANT SEE GOD, HOW DO I KNOW HES REAL?
www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/aig-c038.html
http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/a/Common-Christian-Questions-
How-Do-I-Know-God-Is-There-When-I-Ca-Not-See-Him.htm
HOW CAN JESUS DEATH BRING ABOUT FORGIVENESS?
www.jesus.org/death-and-resurrection/the-crucifixion/how-does-the-death-of-
jesus-save.html
www.gotquestions.org/got-forgiveness.html
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY?
www.seanmcdowell.org/index.php/ethics/what-does-the-bible-say-about-
homosexuality
http://carm.org/bible-homosexuality
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcIhzSwUWnY
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: WHATS THE BIG DEAL?
www.seanmcdowell.org/index.php/ethics/same-sex-marriage-whats-the-big-deal
http://apologeticjunkie.blogspot.com/2012/09/same-sex-marriage-equal-rights-
religion.html (check the additional links at the bottom of the article)
http://apologeticjunkie.blogspot.com/search/label/same-sex%20marriage
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXOu6hwt4jk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAYvSeDiBbM
CAN GODS LOVE BE RECONCILED WITH HIS ORDER TO KILL THE CANAANITES?
www.thinkingchristian.net/posts/2009/06/did-god-commit-genocide-in-the-bible
465
http://mysavior.info/article/223
www.reasonablefaith.org/slaughter-of-the-canaanites
WHATS THE BIG DEAL WITH YOGA?
www.seanmcdowell.org/index.php/cults-religions/whats-the-big-deal-with-yoga
www.gotquestions.org/Christian-yoga.html
http://carm.org/should-christians-practice-yoga
ARE THERE CONTRADICTIONS IN THE BIBLE?
http://christiananswers.net/q-comfort/contradictions-bible.html
http://carm.org/bible-difficulties/genesis-deuteronomy
www.exploregod.com/what-about-contradictions-in-the-bible
www.allabouttruth.org/bible-contradictions.htm
DO PSYCHICS HAVE SUPERNATURAL POWER?
www.christiancourier.com/articles/1264-do-psychics-really-have-mystic-powers
www.gotquestions.org/psychics-Christian.html
www.soundwitness.org/pop_culture/psychic_mediums.html
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT WAR?
www.gotquestions.org/war-Bible.html
http://bibleresources.org/war
www.godandscience.org/apologetics/just_war_principle.html
HASNT SCIENCE DISPROVED MIRACLES?
www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/rfsm-miracles.html
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbTft0VlcRQ
HOW DO I CHOOSE MY FAITH?
www.thinkingchristian.net/posts/2010/08/choosing-your-faith-by-mark-mittelberg
www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-choose-your-faith-wisely-
11572196.html
http://choosingyourfaith.com
http://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/FirstChapters/978-1-4143-1579-9.pdf
www.christianity.com/11572196/
WHAT IS THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT?
http://carm.org/new-age-what
www.gotquestions.org/new-age-movement.html
www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-is-new-age-religion-and-why-cant-
christians-get-on-board-11573681.html
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqIf_b-OOdU
466
467
DOES THE BIBLE DEMEAN WOMEN?
http://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2012/01/common-objection-17-christianity.html
www.gty.org/Resources/Articles/A265
http://kelvinho-kh.blogspot.com/2012/01/does-bible-demean-women-by-sharon-
james.html
EVIDENCE FOR GOD: BIOCHEMISTRY
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQt3b-ovbrs
http://godandscience.org/evolution/design_in_biology.html
EVIDENCE FOR GOD: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
www.godandscience.org/apologetics/quotes.html (quotes from scientists)
www.alwaysbeready.com/god-evidence
https://biblescienceguy.wordpress.com/2013/10/09/17-evidence-for-god-design-
convinces-scientists-3
WHAT DO HINDUS BELIEVE?
www.christianministriesintl.org/articles/What-Do-Hindus-Believe.php
www.gotquestions.org/hinduism.html
www.compellingtruth.org/what-is-Hinduism.html
IS RELIGION THE CAUSE OF EVIL IN THE WORLD?
www.seanmcdowell.org/index.php/apologetics/is-religion-the-cause-of-evil-in-the-world
www.allaboutworldview.org/presence-of-evil.htm
HAS GOD SPOKEN?
www.christianity.com/bible/authorship-and-inspiration/what-evidence-is-there-that-
the-bible-is-in-fact-gods-word-11542346.html
www.gotquestions.org/which-book.html
www.allabouttruth.org/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-the-inspired-word-of-god-faq.htm
www.jashow.org/wiki/index.php?title=Can_We_KNOW_the_Bible_is_the_Word_of_God
DO CHRISTIANITY AND POLITICS MIX?
www.gotquestions.org/Christian-politics.html
www.allaboutworldview.org/christian-politics-and-obedience-faq.htm
www.allaboutworldview.org/christian-politics.htm
WHAT IS GOD LIKE?
http://everyschool.com/what-is-god-like
http://gotquestions.org/What-is-God-like.html
IS GOD MALE?
www.compellingtruth.org/God-male-or-female.html
468
http://godandscience.org/doctrine/male.html
www.gotquestions.org/God-male-female.html
www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=1165
WHY DOES GOD SEEM HIDDEN?
www.conversantlife.com/life-with-god/why-does-god-seem-hidden-from-us
www.gotquestions.org/God-hidden.html
www.compellingtruth.org/God-hidden.html
DOES THE FOSSIL RECORD SUPPORT EVOLUTION?
http://christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-c006.html
www.cecwisc.org/QuestionOfTheMonth/does-the-fossil-record-support-evolution
http://creation.com/refuting-evolution-2-chapter-8-argument-the-fossil-record-
supports-evolution
SO, WHAT MAKES THE BIBLE SO SPECIAL?
http://everyschool.com/print/article/so-what-makes-the-bible-so-special
www.josh.org/resources/study-research/answers-to-skeptics-questions/what-
makes-the-bible-so-specia/
http://biblicalreliability.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-makes-bible-so-special.html
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ABORTION?
www.gotquestions.org/abortion-Bible.html
http://carm.org/bible-abortion
http://prolifetraining.com/resources/five-minute-5/
http://strplace.wordpress.com/2010/09/30/answer-every-defense-for-abortion-
chart-amp-video/
EVIDENCE FOR GOD: BEAUTY
www.evidence-for-god.com/
www.icr.org/Aesthetics
www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2012/03/the-beauty-of-creation
http://godandscience.info/gs/new/beautyguiding.html
IS PORNOGRAPHY THAT BAD?
www.porn-free.org/porn_is_bad.htm
www.marketfaith.org/implications-of-worldview/what-makes-pornography-so-bad/
http://carm.org/pornography
HOW DO I KNOW GODS WILL FOR MY LIFE?
http://christiananswers.net/q-dml/dml-y001.html
www.gotquestions.org/know-God-will.html
469
www.gotquestions.org/know-God-will.html
IS ALCOHOL BAD? RYAN SNUFFER
www.gotquestions.org/sin-alcohol.html
www.crosswalk.com/1120038/
http://pastorbrett.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/should-a-christian-drink-alcohol/
WHATS THE BIG DEAL WITH GAMBLING?
www.gotquestions.org/gambling-sin.html
www.christianity.com/blogs/al-mohler/a-christian-understanding-of-gambling.html
www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=1251
HOW DO WE KNOW JESUS WAS BORN OF A VIRGIN?
https://blog.apologia.com/blog/2011/11/10/how-do-we-know-jesus-was-born-of-a-virgin
www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/virgin.html
www.jashow.org/wiki/index.php?title=How_Do_We_Know_the_Virgin_Birth_Is_True
HOW COULD SATAN FALL IF HE WAS WITH GOD?
www.gotquestions.org/Satan-fall.html
www.gotquestions.org/Satan-defeat.html
http://carm.org/why-did-god-allow-satan-and-angels-to-sin
EVIDENCE FOR GOD: DNA
https://brokenredeemed.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/evidence-for-god-dna
www.allaboutthejourney.org/dna-molecule.htm
www.allaboutthejourney.org/dna-and-computers-video.htm
www.allaboutscience.org/dna-double-helix-video.htm
HOW IMPORTANT IS DARWINIAN EVOLUTION?
www.credomag.com/2012/01/05/how-evolutionary-ethics-influenced-hitler-and-
why-it-matters
http://darwintohitler.com/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_5EwYpLD6A
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mxXICZ9mXo
IN WHAT WAYS DID JESUS FULFILL PROPHECIES?
www.newmediaministries.org/Jesus/Prophecies2_S.html
www.provethebible.net/T2-Divin/D-0401.htm
www.compellingtruth.org/Old-Testament-prophesy-Christ.html
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE?
www.compellingtruth.org/Bible-translations.html
www.gotquestions.org/Bible-translations.html
470
https://bib.irr.org/faq-why-are-there-so-many-different-translations-bible
HOW DO I TALK WITH SOMEONE OF ANOTHER RELIGION?
www.everyschool.com/how-do-i-talk-with-someone-of-another-religion
http://christiananswers.net/evangelism/methods/home.html
www.livingwaters.com/evangelism
WHATS THE BIG DEAL WITH SCIENTOLOGY?
www.apologeticsindex.org/s04.html
www.equip.org/articles/scientology/#christian-books-2
www.bible-study-lessons.com/Scientology.html
SHOULD ABORTION BE ALLOWED FOR RAPE OR INCEST?
www.seanmcdowell.org/index.php/ethics/should-abortion-be-allowed-for-rape-or-incest
http://prolifetraining.com/resources/five-minute-8
http://prolifetraining.com/resources
www.equip.org/articles/abortion-and-rape-answering-the-arguments-for-abortion-rights
ARE UFOS REAL?
www.seanmcdowell.org/index.php/theology/are-ufos-real
www.godandscience.org/apologetics/ufo.html
www.academia.edu/7197557/UFOs_ETs_and_the_new_age_a_christian_perspective
WHY DOESNT GOD ANSWER MY PRAYERS?
http://coldcasechristianity.com/2013/why-doesnt-god-answer-all-my-prayers/
www.bethinking.org/human-life/why-doesnt-god-answer-my-prayers
http://far-above-rubies-and-pearls.blogspot.com/2010/05/why-doesnt-god-answer-
all-prayers.html
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFdI_A7qbSQ
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT SATAN?
www.godandscience.org/doctrine/who_is_satan.html
www.epm.org/blog/2011/Jun/13/what-does-bible-teach-about-satan
www.openbible.info/topics/satan
WHY WOULD A GOOD GOD SEND PEOPLE TO HELL?
www.christiananswers.net/q-grace/hell-and-god.html
www.gotquestions.org/why-does-God-send-people-to-hell.html
http://coldcasechristianity.com/2013/why-would-god-send-good-people-to-hell
WAS JONAH REALLY SWALLOWED BY A BIG FISH?
http://christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t004.html
www.icr.org/article/did-jonah-really-get-swallowed-by-whale
471
472
473
http://dougbrittonbooks.com/onlinebiblestudies-
temptationandovercomingsin/purelife-guardyourthoughtlife.php
WHY SHOULD I WAIT UNTIL MARRIAGE TO HAVE SEX?
www.soencouragement.org/nosexbeforemarriage.htm
www.seanmcdowell.org/index.php/sex/answers-to-tough-questions-about-sex
http://powertochange.com/discover/sex-love/dynamicsex/
HOW DO WE KNOW THE BIBLE INCLUDES THE RIGHT BOOKS?
www.thinkchristianly.org/how-do-we-know-the-bible-includes-the-right-books/
http://thetruth-blog.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-do-we-know-66-books-in-bible-are.html
www.angelfire.com/nt/theology/theology/04canon.html
IF GOD MADE EVERYTHING GOOD, WHY SHOULDNT I SMOKE POT?
www.seanmcdowell.org/index.php/ethics/if-god-made-everything-good-why-
shouldnt-i-smoke-pot/
www.godandscience.org/doctrine/marijuana.html
www.relevantmagazine.com/current/nation/should-christians-smoke-pot-or-not
WHAT ARE THE CRUCIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MUHAMMAD AND JESUS?
www.godresources.org/compare-jesus-muhammad/differences-jesus-
muhammad.shtml
www.equip.org/article/muhammad-messiah-comparing-central-figures-islam-
christianity/#christian-books-3
www.thereligionofpeace.com/Pages/Jesus-Muhammad.htm
IS THERE EVIDENCE FOR LIFE AFTER DEATH?
www.equip.org/articles/is-there-evidence-for-life-after-death
http://discoveryseries.org/ten-reasons/in-life-after-death
www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2461227/posts?page=20
HOW SHOULD A CHRISTIAN RELATE TO CULTURE?
http://jameseckman.blogspot.com/
http://kelvinho-kh.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-should-christian-relate-to-
culture.html
http://life.biblechurch.org/slifejom/corporate-publications/599-christians-and-
culture-tim-keller.html
www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/21/t/culture-and-the-christian.aspx
WHAT MAKES CHRISTIANITY UNIQUE?
www.christianministriesintl.org/articles/What-Makes-Christianity-Unique.php
www.everyschool.com/print/article/what-makes-christianity-unique
476
www.gotquestions.org/Christianity-unique.html
www.comereason.org/what-makes-christianity-unique.asp
http://impactapologetics.com/world-religions-what-makes-jesus-unique-mp3/
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DENOMINATIONS?
www.gotquestions.org/denominations-Christian.html
www.gotquestions.org/so-many-religions.html
http://compellingtruth.org/so-many-religions.html
www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-r006.html
HOW DO I SHARE MY FAITH?
www.churchleaders.com/youth/youth-leaders-blogs/138405-
ten_reasons_i_love_sharing.html
www.christianpost.com/news/5-ways-to-inspire-your-teenagers-to-share-the-
gospel-97281/
www.sermoncentral.com/article.asp?article=a-Greg_Stier_1_15_07
www.dare2share.org/worldviews/buddhists/
www.christianitytoday.com/iyf/faithandlife/devotionals/17.10.html
www.simplyyouthministry.com/resources-curriculum-small-groups-
evangephobia.html
HOW CAN JESUS BE GOD AND MAN?
www.gotquestions.org/hypostatic-union.html
http://carm.org/jesus-two-natures
www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-can-jesus-be-god-and-man
IF GOD MADE THE UNIVERSE, THEN WHO MADE GOD?
www.seanmcdowell.org/index.php/apologetics/if-god-made-the-world-then-who-
made-god
http://christiananswers.net/q-aig/aig-c039.html
www.godandscience.org/apologetics/who_created_god.html
http://carm.org/who-made-god-richard-dawkins
ARENT ALL RELIGIONS BASICALLY THE SAME?
www.seanmcdowell.org/index.php/apologetics/arent-all-religions-basically-the-same
www.bethinking.org/is-christianity-the-only-way/q-dont-all-religions-basically-teach-
the-same-thing
http://apologeticjunkie.blogspot.com/2011/08/do-all-religions-lead-to-god.html
WHAT DO BUDDHISTS BELIEVE?
www.christianministriesintl.org/articles/What-Do-Buddhists-Believe.php
477
www.compellingtruth.org/what-is-Buddhism.html
www.gotquestions.org/buddhism.html
WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT GOD INSPIRED THE BIBLE?
www.gotquestions.org/Bible-inspired.html
www.compellingtruth.org/Bible-inspired.html
www.bethinking.org/is-the-bible-reliable/q-what-does-it-mean-the-bible-is-inspired
CAN GOD MAKE A ROCK SO BIG THAT HE CANT LIFT IT? ALEX MCFARLAND
www.alexmcfarland.com/Can-God-Make-A-Rock-So-Heavy-that-He-Could-Not-
L.html
http://carm.org/questions/about-god/can-god-make-rock-so-big-he-cant-pick-it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jRMWKz4hbw
DOES THE BIBLE ENDORSE SLAVERY?
http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/201104/201104_108_NT_slavery.cfm
hwww.apologetics315.com/2011/09/slavery-in-bible-articles-audio.html
www.godandscience.org/apologetics/slavery_bible.html
WHAT IS THE CORE OF THE BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW?
www.compellingtruth.org/Christian-worldview.html
http://carm.org/what-are-some-christian-worldview-essentials
www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/christian-worldview/why-is-a-christian-worldview-
important/why-your-worldview-matters
DO CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS WORSHIP THE SAME GOD?
www.str.org/articles/do-christians-and-muslims-worship-the-same-god
www.answering-islam.org/authors/clarke/worship_same_god.html
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n52BzWKLn9g
DOES THE BIBLE TEACH REINCARNATION?
www.gotquestions.org/reincarnation.html
www.watchman.org/articles/new-age/does-the-bible-teach-reincarnation
http://whataboutjesus.com/ressurection/afterlife-series/does-bible-teach-
reincarnation
www.godandscience.org/apologetics/reincarnation.html
CAN PEOPLE WHO COMMIT SUICIDE GO TO HEAVEN?
www.godandscience.org/doctrine/christians_who_kill_themselves.html
http://christiananswers.net/q-dml/suicide-and-heaven.html
www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/can-a-christian-commit-suicide-and-still-be-
saved-a-biblical-analysis
478
479
480
482