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Secular
Humanism and Stupidity
By
Doug Post
Feb
18,
2007
Feb
18,
2007Ingrid
Newkirk, the founder of PETA declares, "There is no rational basis
for saying that a human being has special rights. When it comes to
having a central nervous system, and the ability to feel pain,
hunger and thirst, a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. Six million
died in Jewish concentration camps, but six billion broiler chickens
will die this year in slaughter houses."
How vastly different is the Bible's view of humanity. On the one
hand, there is nothing on earth as valuable as a human soul. Jesus
asked what good it would be "for a man if he gains the whole
world, yet forfeits his own soul? Or what can a man give in exchange
for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). Humanism degrades humanity; God
values it above all else! After all, humans are created, uniquely,
in God's image (Genesis 1:16,17). In what sense are we an image of
God? Think of a shadow, an image that imperfectly, but distinctly,
follows the image of its maker, or a child, who carries many, though
not all, of their parent’s characteristics. So is man, reflecting
God's glory, yet not quite attaining it.
What’s worrisome is not the thought of an animal rights activists
denouncing my T-bone steak, but that when we lower our estimation of
a human's value, it lowers our expectation of his/her behavior. A
cat isn't responsible for disrespecting holy things, but a human is.
An elephant cannot despise another race; humans do. Baboons cannot
disregard God's will, they don't understand it; humans do both! And
one day one creature will stand before the God of all the earth, and
he will be responsible for his actions. A rat is not a pig, is not a
dog, is not a boy. One of them is a reflection, no less than of God
himself.
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Jesus, Make Me Like You
by Tim Childs
Some people resist attempts by another person to change them. A
young lady may not appreciate it when her boyfriend tries to mold
her into his ideal woman. So she insists: "Don't try to change me;
that's not me."
Occasionally you hear people say: "That's just the way I
am." A man may have a problem controlling his temper. Under some
circumstances he may become angered and show it through piercing
words, sarcasm, or unkind actions. When brought to his attention he
says something like: "Everybody knows that's just me; everyone knows
I have a problem controlling my temper." The idea often being
conveyed is that you should just accept me the way I am with my
spiritual weaknesses and flaws: "Don't try to change me."
While it is true that you and I have our weaknesses, it is
not a given that we should just accept them, learn to live with
them, and not be bothered by them. Jesus did not come to reinforce
our flaws. He did not come and say, "Just be your natural self,
however ugly and selfish you may happen to be."
Becoming a disciple and follower of Jesus, we have
committed ourselves to adopting the totality of his teaching, his
spirit of meekness, humility, longsuffering, forgiveness, and
compassion; yes, we have obliged ourselves to adopting his way of
thought and imitating his way of life. The Christian life involves a
process of growth, development, and transformation -- becoming like
Jesus. Heaven has no reservations available for those who tell
Jesus: "Just leave me alone ...don't try to change me."
Instead of that approach, may we pray: "Jesus, make me like you,"
whereby the beauty of Jesus may unquestionably be seen within us.
Never doubt the power inherent in his Word which can make us all he
wants us to be.
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Now That's Really Staying Together
Neal Pollard
You may
have heard about archaeologists who found the bones of a couple who
would have possibly lived before Noah, but how they found them was most
unique. The skeletons were found in embrace, suggesting especially to
the sentimental the profoundest expression of love and togetherness
possible. Who knows what it truly means, who they were, and if they were
even husband and wife. Yet, I would like to think that they were a
couple so close and whose lives were so intertwined that their repose in
death was symbolic of how they were to each other throughout life. We
certainly need good role models, wherever we can "dig them up." Society
does not do so much to encourage married people staying together. In
fact, infidelity and fornication are idolized character traits. Those
who stick together through thick and thin are portrayed as foolish or at
least boring. Yet, God laid out a blueprint for the whole that includes
a bond much stronger than an embrace for couples staying together (Gen.
2:18-24; Mat. 19:3-9; 1 Pet. 3:1-7). The Lord's church needs men and
women who are committed to staying together, to building healthy, happy
and close marriages.
Societies, to long endure, need such values embraced and encouraged.
You, if you are married, need to rededicate yourself to your spouse each
day, finding ways to stick close and reasons to stay together.
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When the
Media Talks Religion
by Tim
Hall
Flipping through
the channels recently, I came across a program on The History
Channel that caught my attention. The program focused on
archaeological discoveries in the region of Sodom and Gomorrah.
These were then compared to the Bible record. "This could be good,"
I thought, and settled in to expand my understanding. Within five
minutes I had abandoned all hope of being edified by this program.
Instead of strengthening my faith by pointing to corroborative
findings, the show was pulling out all stops (it seemed) to weaken a
person's faith. The Bible was treated as a collection of fables that
might have a shred of reality, but certainly not to be taken
seriously. It has happened on numerous other occasions. A Hallmark
presentation a few years ago depicted the story of Noah. When Noah's
ark was shown being attacked by a ship commanded by Lot, I knew
something was seriously awry in their version of the truth. Truth,
of course, wasn't their objective; entertainment value was.
Christians should brace themselves anytime a program is offered on
television on Biblical events. Magazine covers promising to reveal
"the whole truth" about the historical Jesus should be viewed with
great skepticism. There have been a few fairly accurate portrayals
of Biblical events in recent years, but very few.
Paul pointed to a fact that ought to be the basis of
anyone's faith. In Galatians 1:11-12 he wrote, "But I make known
to you, brethren, that the
gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I
neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came
through the
revelation of Jesus Christ" (NKJV). For anyone desiring to know
the true faith of Christianity, this has to be a bedrock principle.
Far too many depend on humans to tell them what God has revealed.
The problem is that humans are imperfect. Though they may have
several academic degrees, they still hold a bias that may intrude
into their teaching. Though they have no intention of harming
anyone's faith, by their imperfect knowledge they can lead many
astray. People may mean well, but their ability to accurately teach
truth is less than perfect. (That applies to the one writing this
article.)
We must each honestly ask, What is the source of my
faith? Has it come from man, or from God? We won't receive the truth
exactly as Paul did; Christ won't confront us in a blinding light as
we travel down the highway. But the Bible is God's perfect
revelation of truth (see 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:3,4). As long
as my beliefs rest ultimately on the revealed will of God, then I'm
likely going to know the truth. The cover of the latest issue of
your favorite news magazine promises to enlighten you on what the
Bible really teaches about a sensitive issue. Be skeptical. Remind
yourself that only God is always true.
"Forever, O Lord, your word is
settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89).
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