Category: Subject Index

We have asserted that Bible Authority can be established from the written scriptures in three ways: Expressed Statement, Approved Example, and Necessary Inference. In this article we deal with the third means, Necessary Inference.

The concept is ridiculed by many as being a legalistic, and humanly devised means of establishing authority. We will show from scripture that this is not so. However, to begin, let’s note that we often learn things by inference. Continue reading “Necessary Inference” →

Artifacts from Iron Age fortress confirmOld Testament dates of Edomite kingdom

“Canadian archeologist Russell Adams’s interest is in Bronze Age and Iron Age copper production. He never intended to walk into archeology’s vicious debate over the historical accuracy of the Old Testament — a conflict likened by one historian to a pack of feral canines at each other’s throats.

“Yet by coincidence, Prof. Adams of Hamilton’s McMaster University says, he and an international team of colleagues fit into place a significant piece of the puzzle of human history in the Middle East — unearthing information that points to the existence of the Bible’s vilified Kingdom of Edom at precisely the time the Bible says it existed, and contradicting widespread academic belief that it did not come into being until 200 years later.

“Their findings mean that those scholars convinced that the Hebrew Old Testament is at best a compendium of revisionist, fragmented history, mixed with folklore and theology, and at worst a piece of outright propaganda, likely will have to apply the brakes to their thinking.

“Because, if the little bit of the Old Testament’s narrative that Prof. Adams and his colleagues have looked at is true, other bits could be true as well…”

By MICHAEL VALPY
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 – Page A3

globeandmail.com

Analysis:

It is not uncommon to hear of modernists who deny the inspiration of scripture. What is interesting is the basis of most claims that the Bible is inaccurate, and thus uninspired.

Continue reading “Archeologist Unearths Biblical Controversy” →

In our previous article, entitled Expressed Command, I wrote:

To properly understand how authority is established in religion, it is necessary to understand the nature of communication. God created man with the ability to communicate his will or desire to others. He chose to reveal Himself to man by the same methods. The divine hermeneutic (way of interpreting the Bible) is in accord with the logical rules of communication using written or spoken language.

One of these “logical rules of communication” can be identified as an approved example. The premise is simple. If in the New Testament we find Christians participating in an activity, and the example we find is spoken of as approved of God, we can rightly surmise that this practice is divinely authorized. Continue reading “Approved Example” →

Jan. 19 (Bloomberg) — Two U.S. Supreme Court justices rejected a California atheist’s bid to block clergy-led prayer at tomorrow’s inauguration ceremony for President George W. Bush.

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and Justice John Paul Stevens, in separate orders, today denied an emergency-injunction request filed in Washington by Michael Newdow.

Two Christian ministers — Episcopal Rev. Luis Leon of Washington and Methodist Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell of Houston — are slated to say prayers at the inauguration.

Newdow said in court papers that the past 17 public inaugurations, dating back to 1937, have all included “blatantly Christian prayer.” He said he has tickets to the event, yet “cannot in good conscience attend an exercise where his government forces him to endure religious dogma he finds highly disagreeable.”

Newdow last year unsuccessfully urged the Supreme Court to bar public school teachers from leading recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance with the phrase “under God.”

Greg Stohr
Bloomberg.com

Analysis:

The preceding column contains information regarding a typical attack from secularists upon the Christian faith. It has long been held by a segment of our society that “freedom of religion” should be understood as “freedom from religion.”

Continue reading “Inauguration Prayers” →

In our previous article, we noted that the existence of the universe indicates either “self-existence”, or a divine first cause. Since the universe is finite with regard to time, with energy which remains usable (The Law of Entropy), the evidence suggests that a self-existent being created it at some point in the past.

Continue reading “The Divine Watchmaker” →

To properly understand how authority is established in religion, it is necessary to understand the nature of communication. God created man with the ability to communicate his will or desire to others. He chose to reveal Himself to man by the same methods. The divine hermeneutic (way of interpreting the Bible) is in accord with the logical rules of communication using written or spoken language. Continue reading “Expressed Command” →

We accept that God exists. We can not see God, or touch him, yet we believe that He exists. This is faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Those who do not believe that God exists argue that since God can’t be seen or touched, our belief in His existence is irrational.

Continue reading “The Existence of God” →

Jesus Christ is our source for authority today. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).

However, none living today has ever seen Jesus. Also, despite claims to the contrary, Jesus does not speak to us directly today. So, how is it we are to know the will of Jesus? He is the authority, so how are we to know what he authorizes?

The New Covenant

First, note that the New Testament is the will of Jesus. Continue reading “The New Testament: Christ’s Authority Revealed” →

BANDA ACEH, JANUARY 5: US Secretary of State Colin Powell flew over the worst scenes of devastation from Asia’s tsunami on Wednesday and said it was more horrifying than wars he had witnessed during decades as a soldier…

…”I have been in war and I have been through a number of hurricanes, tornados and other relief operations, but I have never seen anything like this,” said America’s former top soldier.

Continue reading “Tsunami Worse Than War” →

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).

As Christians we accept the truthfulness of the Bible, and its claims regarding its own inspiration, the existence of God, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. While we accept this, we must realize that others are not so inclined. Skeptics are common, and it is our responsibility (as noted in Peter’s admonition above) to seek to establish proofs to convince the unbeliever of the veracity of claims regarding God and His will for man..

Continue reading “Christian Evidences: Introduction” →

In Matthew 21:25, Jesus asked the elders of the Jews the question, “The baptism of John; where was it from? From heaven or from men?” The question put the elders in a difficult position. If they said it was from “heaven” (divinely authorized), then Jesus could admonish them for disobedience. “Why then did you not believe him?” (vs. 25). If they said it was from men to excuse their disobedience, they would run afoul of the people who counted John a prophet.

In this simple exchange a fundamental truth regarding the nature of authority is revealed. Continue reading “Christ, the Source of Divine Authority” →

Sarah Thompson, 32, of Port Dickinson, a lecturer in health and physical education at Binghamton University, noted that she has “goals for the year, but most of them are quite mundane, actually — projects such as things I want to do around the house or a tangible change I can make to one of my classes.”

She said she views a New Year’s resolution as “setting a person up for behavioral change.”

Continue reading “Resolution Realities” →

“…We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:14-16).

The work of edification, as revealed by Paul, is a work that belongs to every member of a local congregation. While certain Christians have been given such works as apostle, prophet, preacher and teacher, these offices are intended to equip all Christians for the “work of ministry.” That way, as “every part does its share”, the body grows.

Here at West Side, we have a wonderful opportunity to grow as a congregation. This growth can be both visible, as the church increases numerically, and new souls are added to the Lord’s body; and it can be more subtle, as Christians mature and increase in zeal and steadfastness.

Continue reading “A Challenge for West Side” →

I recently ran across an account of the Carl Mosser family, who several years ago were murdered while traveling in Oklahoma, after being held hostage for several days.

According to the account, while getting gas at a little gas station on a rural road, Mr. Mosser jumped their captor, and begged the station owner to help him, and call the police. Instead, the station owner got his gun, and told all of them to leave, saying, “I don’t want any trouble around here.”

Continue reading “Remaining Neutral” →

It is needful to note that several modern concepts of the origin of authority are incorrect.

The Source of Divine Authority Is Not…

The Doctrine or Practices of the Old Testament

There are a number of common religious practices today which were characteristic of Old Testament worship. Some denominations advocate the use of an instrument of music in worship because of the Old Testament practice. Others speak of tithing as required of God, or the practice of sabbath observation. Some Mormons actually appeal to the Old Testament as giving authority for the practice of polygamy. Continue reading “False Sources for Divine Authority” →