Christianity vs. Naturalism

My friend and I were recently discussing the importance of the Bible's teaching that God created the world in six literal days. It seems that the true motivation for doubting this teaching has more to do with the current spirit of the day than any lack of reasonableness related to the teaching itself.

Dr. Byl addresses the claims of Christianity compared with counter-claims from recent philosophers and scientists in this clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBZOtHjs5uQ

Please consider the current bias in the scientific literature regarding creation and supernatural causes when building your worldview.

Whose Armor are You Wearing?

Interesting post by Pastor Shane Walker over at Faith Seeking Understanding regarding the armor of God and the armor of Satan:

Fragment on Spiritual Disciplines: Satan's Armor

Kingdom

June 16, 2013

Luke 17

"The Kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed.."

Find the Kingdom - the coming of Jesus was the first of three phases in the unfolding of the Kingdom.  Jesus comes, the church proliferates, and Jesus comes again. Three progressive phases of unfolding of the Kingdom of God.

Baltimore Poem

This was originally published in the UB Post back in 2002

When Pigeons Fly High

Up on Mount Vernon in Baltimore
He sits with his friends
He’s got time; he’s got smiles
For those who care for him.

They all gather round
It’s their little meeting place
“Hey Ben how you been?”
“Been fine Joe can’t complain.”

Rich Veins: Psalm 133

  Behold, how good and pleasant it is
     when brothers dwell in unity!
     It is like the precious oil on the head,
     running down on the beard,
  on the beard of Aaron,
     running down on the collar of his robes!
     It is like the dew of Hermon,
     which falls on the mountains of Zion!
  For there the LORD has commanded the blessing,
     life forevermore.
 

Who Do You Say that I am?

Luke 9:1-20

Thoughts on Sermons at Andover Baptist

Real power in this world seems to reside with those who have the means to coerce the populace.  Whoever has the guns, money, or food seems to come out on top.  But this power is only temporary.  It is merely the appearance of power because the true power lies with God.

This was illustrated in Worcester v. Georgia where missionaries refused to get licensed to be on Native American land in a bid to keep the government from forcibly moving them off of their land.  The supreme court held for the missionaries but the President and the leaders in Georgia essentially ignored the Supreme Court and mocked the fact that the court had no means to enforce their decision.  But we must see that even these injustices are temporary - and that the true power lies with God and His faithful servants.

An Infinite Debt. Forgiven!

Luke 7:36-50 (January 13, 2013)

Thoughts on Andover Baptist sermons.

A pastor asked his friend if he had heard of a particular theologian and what he thought of him.  The response was surprisingly strong: "Heard of him? I would throw myself in front of bus for him."  Why did this man have such a strong affinity for a theologian?  It turns out that this man had been very close to being denied a prestigious degree by a panel of biased judges and this particular theologian had stepped in and granted the degree. 

I think of Friday in the book Robinson Crusoe.  He'd been saved by Robinson from certain death and pledged himself as his lifelong servant in gratitude.  When we've been given much, and forgiven much, we love much.

Fear the Right Thing

Luke 8:19-58

My thoughts on sermons at Andover Baptist.

What are you afraid of?  Recently a big truck full of goat cheese exploded in a tunnel in northern Norway.  It would be absurd to go around frightened of cheese trucks.  But in fact, we often fear the wrong things in life.  It is absurd to fear the things of this world more than God.

Rich Veins: Ecclesiastes 7 & 8

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22

Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.  Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13

Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before Him.  But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God.

Lord, Do Not Trouble Yourself, For I Am Not Worthy

Review Luke 7:1-36 (January 6, 2013)

My thoughts on sermons at Andover Baptist.

Where does life come from?  Even though scientists purport to know the answer, they end up chasing their tail.  At the end of all of the links in the evolutionary chain there is nothing holding it up.  There is no explanation for where matter comes from and no explanation for how non-living matter became life.  Of course you could agree with some who insist that life, "formed on the backs of crystals" but for many this is not a satisfying explanation.  Jesus came to bring true life and turn the values of the world upside down.