Why I Am A Christian

When someone asks you, “Why are you a Christian? What do you say? Do you have answers to give? Are they Biblical reasons? Peter wrote, “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” (I Peter 3:15). We should, as Christians, be ready to give an answer (a reasoned defense) to any and every one who asks, “Why are you a Christian?”

I am a Christian because:

I. I Believe in God. I believe that God exists (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 19:1). A fool believes there is no God (Psalm 14:1). Even when men attempt to reject the knowledge of God, the evidence remains and is clear (Romans 1:10-20). The evidence from the Bible and nature prove beyond doubt, that God is the creator of man and the universe.

II. I Believe the Bible is the Word of God. The scriptures are God breathed (II Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is made up of sixty-six books, written by about 40 writers, over a period of 1,600 years. The Bible is man’s divine guide (Psalm 119:105); and has been once for all delivered (Jude 3-4).

III. I Believe that Jesus is the Christ. When Jesus was born, the angels announced to the shepherds, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). At His crucifixion, the Roman centurion declared, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54). If Jesus is the Christ, (and He is), then I must reach the conclusion the apostles reached: “thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

IV. I Want to go to Heaven. Heaven can only be attained by being obedient to the will and ways of Christ (Matthew 7:21). I don’t want to go to hell. Heaven is where I want to spend eternity. Abraham “looked for a city which hath foundations” (Hebrews 11:10-16). Paul is a false teacher if heaven does not exist (II Corinthians 12:1-2). The world passes away, but he that is obedient to God’s word endures forever (I John 2:15-17).

V. I Look Forward to a Reunion with Loved Ones. God’s Word gives us evidence of recognition in the heavenly realm. The rich man recognized Lazarus and Abraham (Luke 16:19-31). Paul had the expectation of being united with his converts in the afterlife (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; 2 Corinthians 4:14). “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11-12). After the death of his son, David said, “But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:23). What a reunion it will be in the presence of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and those in Christ who we are temporarily separated from.

The Red Menace

“We Are All Socialists Now,” proclaimed the cover of Newsweek for February 16. In the featured article, the authors described how American political culture has changed to embrace a more “European” approach of governmental control of the economy. As a citizen and a Christian, I find this notion troubling.

Big Brother

As a lover of freedom, I oppose socialism for the reasons outlined by Friedrich Hayek in his 1944 classic The Road to Serfdom. Providing a defense of capitalism, Hayek demonstrated that all forms of collectivism create tyranny. Within a centrally planned economic system, a small group uses the coercive power of government to impose their vision on the whole of society. Central planning of the economy is the destruction of all individual economic and personal freedom. As the government increases its control of our lives through taxation and regulation, it transforms us from free men and women into slaves.

Socialism is also unattractive for practical reasons. Looking to the bottom line, the record of the 20^th century should be evidence enough that socialism is not effective in producing prosperity. Repeatedly, as governments move toward socialism, productivity plummets whereas free-market reforms uniformly produce economic growth.

Political Atheism

More important than economic success and even more important than civil liberty, I am opposed to socialism because it is an enemy of Christian faith. Not all atheists are socialist, and not all socialists are atheist. There is, however, a strong correlation between atheism and socialism. Abandoning the God of the Bible, atheists are prone to make a god out of the state.

The animosity between socialism and religion runs deep. From its origin in the 19^th century, socialism has often positioned itself as an opponent of Christian values. The more thoroughly socialist a nation becomes, the more it is prone to persecute religious conviction.

Christianity teaches that human nature is not perfectible. This understanding argues strongly for limited government because all people are prone to sin and may abuse power if given the chance.

The Bible consistently champions the right to own and to enjoy private property. In the book of Philemon, Paul showed the freedom we have in Christ has a social dimension as well. Christianity has been the greatest source of liberty throughout the world.

Although the Lord’s church is not called to be involved in political activism, Christians must let their faith inform our politics. We must consistently stand for the truth that God has revealed, and we must stand opposed to any political system that undercuts the message of the Bible.

Gregory Alan Tidwell – Gospel Advocate, May, 2009. P. 5.

Jesus – Community Organizer?

In many political campaigns in order for a candidate

to get votes, promises are made that cannot be kept and

other outlandish things are stated. Most of political talk is

empty, idle, and vain. Much of the talk is just plain nonsense.

This presidential race has produced some nonsense,

What nonsense? Jesus was-a community organizer!

Really now. What person knowing just a smidgen of the

life of Jesus would fall for such a nonsensical statement?

What an insult and an affront to the divine person and the

divine work of Jesus. Jesus is called a number of things in

the Bible. but He is never, never called in any way, shape,

or form a community organizer

Jesus was rejected. Consider. Jesus was rejected twice

in His hometown of Nazareth (Mark 6:1-3; Luke 4:16-28).

The Jews for all practical purposes rejected Jesus and the

Bible states this clearly. “He came to His own and His

own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). If He was a community

organizer. He failed miserably in His own hometown.

A man ought to be successful in his own hometown.

He failed in having the nation of Israel, His nation, to follow

Him. Jesus was an unsuccessful community organizer!

Rejected, but not accepted by the community, Jesus

was!

Jesus was rejected because of His message. Any serious

reading of the Gospels help us to understand why Jesus

was rejected. He was rejected because of His message.

His message was not for what man had hoped, but after all

God’s ways are not man’s ways (Isa. 55:8). The people

wanted to hear a message of a kingdom freeing them from

Rome’s tyranny, as the bondage of the Roman Empire

was troubling and difficult. They did not look for a community

organizer!

The message of Jesus was simple. He came for the purpose

of doing the will of God (John 6:38). He came for

the purpose of seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19: 10).

For many Jews, especially. the Pharisees this was offensive.

His message was designed to call sinners to repentance

(Matt. 4: 17: 9: 13). The Jews did not like to think of

themselves as sinners. His message was that He came to

build His church and establish His kingdom (Matt. 16: 13-

19: 18: 18). He did so on Pentecost in AD 30 (Acts 2). His

message was that He came to give His life a ransom for

man’s sins (Matt. 20:28: 26:28; Eph. 1:7: 1 Tim. 2:5-6).

His message was that He was the Savior of man (Matt.

1:21). John writes, “And we have seen and testify that the

Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world” (1 John

4: 14). A community organizer He was not! Rejected, not accepted by the community.

Jesus was!

Jesus is known by many names. The mission of Jesus

was spiritual! The names of Jesus signify His spiritual

mission! Nothing in any of His names indicate that

He was a community organizer. T. C. Horton in his

book, The Wonderful Names of One Wonderful Lord,

lists 365 names and titles of Jesus in both Testaments.

Some of the many names and titles for Jesus are: Jesus.

Lord, Christ, God, Son of David, Son of Man, Son of

God, The Servant of God, The Good Shepherd, The

Great Physician, Savior, Prophet. High Priest, The

Bread of Life. The Door, The Lamb, The Judge, Apostle,

The King, The Resurrection, The Life, The Way.

BUT no community organizer! Does this tell you something?

–W. Terry Varner (Publishing Peace, Vol. 4, No. 11, November 2008, p. 3).

America, Christianity and the Culture War

A “must read” series by Dave Miller at Apologetics Press.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

The Holiness of God

In the very nature of his being, the five primary attributes of God (in order), are 1. Holiness, 2. Justice, 3. Mercy, 4. Love, and 5. Truth. The cross of Christ is vitally related to each of these primary attributes of God. 1. When man sinned, God’s holiness was offended. 2. Then, God’s justice became operative, demanding that the penalty for the infraction of divine law be enacted. 3. However, God’s mercy triumphed over his justice. 4. And, God sent his son, the manifestation of his love. 5. Now, you can read about all of this in the truth. In reversal order, 1. In the truth we read about the coming of Christ, 2. The demonstration of God’s love. 3. Such was prompted by the mercy of God. 4. And, Christ being sinless perfect, when dying, not only appeased God’s justice, but he also satisfied 5. God’s holiness. You see, man might have died, and to some extent have appeased God’s justice. But, being a sinful creature as he was, he never could have satisfied God’s holiness. For, holiness demands holiness (1 Peter 1:16). Accordingly, only the sacrifice of the sinless Son of God could both appease God’s justice and satisfy God’s holiness.

—Wendell Winkler, The Holiness of God, Lecture.

I Love Thy Kingdom Lord

“I love Thy kingdom Lord, The house of thine abode; The church our blest Redeemer saved with His own precious blood. I love Thy church O God” (Hymn – “I Love Thy Kingdom Lord”).

The church/kingdom of Jesus Christ was deliberately purposed in the mind of God before time began (Ephesians 3:9-11; 5:32; Acts 20:28). As God planned the death of Christ for the redemption of men, so He planned the church which is the number of the redeemed. The church/kingdom of Christ is a blood-bought institution.. Salvation is found in it! Consider the following three points emphasizing the church/kingdom of Christ.

PROPHECY

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; he will teach us his ways, and we shall walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:2-3). We can examine this passage by looking at: When: “in the last days” (Acts 2:16-17). What: “the Lord’s house” (1 Timothy 3:15). Who: “all nations” (Galatians 3:28). Why: “he will teach us of his ways” Where: “The word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Acts 1:4; 2:5, 14).

PREPARATION

The kingdom in prophecy is the church of the New Testament. Eighty-nine preachers spoke of the church/kingdom being in preparation. John (Matthew 3:2), the twelve (Matthew 10:7), the seventy (Luke 10:9), Luke (Luke 10:9), Mark (Mark 9:1), Paul (Colossians 1:13-14), God (John 17:7), Jesus (Matthew 4:17), and the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). Any religious organization which began either before or after the day of Pentecost did not begin when prophecy said it would begin (Luke 24:46-47). All references made concerning the church/kingdom prior to Pentecost reflect the future establishment of the church. All references made concerning the church after Pentecost reflect the existence of the church (Acts 2:47; Revelation 1:9).

PERFECTION

The kingdom of God’s Son was established on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2). The establishment of the church/kingdom of Christ was based upon 1. the preaching of the gospel (Acts 2:22-36). 2. By sinners rendering obedience to the gospel (Acts 2:37-41) and 3. By God adding the forgiven obedient ones to the church (Acts 2:47).

Foy E. Wallace Jr. summarized:

Moses was commanded to “make all things according to the pattern shown thee,” and Paul quotes this to emphasize the same caution to those who would be Christians, (Hebrews 8:5). The New Testament is our pattern and everything must conform to it. “Prove all things; hold fast what which is good,” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The church outlined in the New Testament was perfect in government or organization; and perfect in doctrine and in worship (The Gospel For Today, p. 213).

Gospel preacher, Benjamin Franklin, was correct when he gave the following propositions:

a. A body, or community, not built on the foundation which God laid, is not the community which the Lord calls “my church.” b. A community not founded and established in the right place, is not the church of Christ. c. A community not founded at the right time is not the kingdom of Christ. d. No church can be the true church not founded by the proper persons, Christ and the apostles. e. A kingdom with any other law than the one given by the Head of the church, is not the kingdom of Christ. (F.L. Rowe, Pioneer Sermons And Addresses. pp. 260-261).

CONCLUSION 1. The church of Christ and the Kingdom of God are one and the same institution. 2. The Old Testament prophets prove the coming and establishment of the church on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ. 3. Membership in the kingdom of Christ/church of Christ is essential to salvation!

What a comfort to march in the army that will never know defeat. What a joy it is to be a citizen of a kingdom that will never be destroyed. God’s kingdom is a victorious kingdom! “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

“Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane, But the church of Jesus Constant will remain. Gates of hell can never; against that church prevail, We have Christ’s own promise, And that cannot fail.” (Hymn – “I Love Thy Kingdom Lord”).

Defining and Applying Christian Worldview

What is a worldview?

A worldview is a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true or entirely false) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic constitution of reality, and that provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being.

The Universe Next Door. A Basic Worldview Catalog by James W. Sire. Fourth Edition. (Downers Grove, IL; IVP Academic. 2004).

Applying a Christian worldview.

One of the goals of The Truth Between Extremes blog is to see things in this world through the eyes and mind of Jesus Christ. The following two quotes are from a text used in my Christian Worldview class at Asbury College. They present an application of what is involved in engaging our day to day lives as Christians with those who are of another worldview.

As Christians we have no less responsibility to think than do others and it is incumbent on us that we think in a Christian manner about the many issues confronting us as we live today. The Christian’s ability to think Christianly about every topic, every question, every decision requires that he or she develop a generally correct knowledge of reality. And this correct knowledge of reality must be developed in a world that promotes many ideas and values that contradict those held by the Christian community. That is to say, we live in a society that holds a great variety of worldviews, many of which contradict or ignore the worldview of Christianity (p. 5)

We live in an extremely complex world where we are bombarded daily with differing opinions and interpretations; it is a pluralistic world where relativism and ambiguity are important components in almost everything we do; it is a world where Christians are called on constantly to make decisions about complex matters with far-reaching implications and consequences. Without a biblical orientation, the believer is adrift in such a world, shunted off course by every current of opinion, and blown erratically by the shifting winds of intellectual fashions. We need an awareness of the process by which our worldview is established and refined in order for us to filter out extraneous elements that do not belong in the value system of a Christian. We also need such an awareness in order to focus our attention on principles and methods that will establish biblical truth more solidly in our hearts (p. 6)

Transformed Thinking. Loving God With All Your Mind by Edward M. Curtis, Ph.D with John Brugaletta, Ph.D. (Franklin, TN; JFO Publishing, Inc. 1996).