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Showing posts with label Christian materials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian materials. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Christianity in China
Christianity in China
"Ironically," says Fu, "church history shows that the more the political persecution, the more believers there will be. This is the case in the Roman Empire, and also with China."
By Lauren Green
Published January 20, 2011 | FoxNews.com
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/01/20/christianity-china/#ixzz1BbLI751c
While religion in China may not be a big topic for discussion during President Hu Jintao's meeting with President Obama this week, many experts say that an explosive growth in Christianity may be transforming the officially atheist regime.
According to China Aid, a Texas-based human rights group, the number of Christians in China has increased 100-fold since 1949. Current estimates range from 80 million to 130 million active members. And one startling estimate from a Chinese Christian businessman has that number doubling or even tripling in the next generation.
Christianity could become one of the macro forces shaping Chinese culture, say experts like Dr. David Aikman, author of "Jesus in Beijing."
"If the Chinese become Christianized ... which doesn't mean you have a majority of people who are Christians, but it means about 25 to 30 percent of people in positions of influence, in politics, in culture, in the media. If you have that component of a major power that accepts Christianity enthusiastically as a guide to life, that is going to change the world view of the leaders of China."
Others argue that even if the more generous estimate of 130 Christians is true, it's still a drop in the bucket in a population of more than a billion people.
But Dr. Luis Palau, who has preached in China, says Christians are among the country's most cohesive groups.
"They all preach the same gospel. There are no liberals or conservative branches ... they all believe the same."
Supporters say even estimating 80 million Christians in China, a conservative figure, still has them outnumbering the membership of the Communist Party, which at last check, in June 2010, was 78 million, according to the ChinaDaily.com.
What's the origin of this faith explosion?
China Aid's Bob Fu says Christianity experienced a growth spurt after the Tiananmen Square conflict. Six of the 30 student leaders who were arrested converted to Christianity.
"Ironically," says Fu, "church history shows that the more the political persecution, the more believers there will be. This is the case in the Roman Empire, and also with China."
But Chan-Kei Thong, a businessman who lived and worked in China for 30 years, said Chairman Mao Zedong, Communist China's founder, may have unwittingly paved the way.
"What Chairman Mao did that the emperors did not do, he brought in a form of pseudo monotheism, a pseudo person to worship ... himself ... as a personal god. "The Christian God fits into that."
The Chinese government is not exactly overjoyed at the prospect of Christianity's growth. Officially, the government says there are 28.6 million Christians. That's because it only counts churches that are registered with the government.
Despite China’s recent easing of hostilities toward Christians, Beijing has had a harsh and violent history with the growing religious community. Beijing’s often brutal crackdown -- including roundups, blacklisting and jailing -- drove thousands of followers underground, spurring on the house church network.
While some of those followers have since registered with the government, Beijing continues to crack down on unregistered house churches.
But as many as 60 percent of Chinese Christians attend unregistered house churches, Palau says.
Palau, who says he is on good terms with the government, added that some party members acknowledge in the neighborhood of 120 million active Christians.
Others see a government fear of Christianity's traditionally anti-Communist power as a factor -- and along with it a growing concern over China's human rights record.
What Fu sees in Hu's visit is a rare juncture in this changing philosophical climate, to press China harder on those issues.
"I think this is an historical opportunity for President Obama to really represent the free world's universal values. ... "It will be a huge mistake for Mr. Obama to put human rights at the bottom of the agenda."
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/01/20/christianity-china/#ixzz1BbLE98s6
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Sunday, December 26, 2010
10 Reasons To Believe In The Christian Faith
10 Reasons To Believe In The Christian Faith
1. The Credibility Of Its Founder
Christ said He came from heaven to fulfill prophecy, to die for our sins, and to bring to His Father all who believe in Him. Logic says that He was either a liar, a lunatic, a legend, or the Lord of heaven. His first-century followers drew their own conclusions. They said they saw Him walk on water, still a storm, heal crippled limbs, feed 5,000 with a few pieces of bread and fish, live a blameless life, die a terrible death, and alive again. During His ministry, when some of Jesus' followers took issue with His teachings and left, He asked those closest to Him if they too wanted to leave. Peter spoke for the others when he said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (John 6:68-69).
2. The Reliability Of Its Book
Written over a period of about 1,600 years by 40 different authors, the book on which the Christian faith rests tells one story that begins with creation and concludes on the threshold of eternity. The integrity of its historical and geographical record is supported by archeology. The accuracy with which it has been copied and handed down to us has been confirmed by the Dead Sea Scrolls of Qumran. Originating neither in the East nor the West, but in the Middle East--the cradle of civilization--the Bible continues to speak not only with spiritual power but with convincing prophetic accuracy.
3. Its Explanations For Life
All religious systems attempt to give meaning to our existence. All attempt to explain our thirst for significance, the problem of pain, and the inevitability of death. All religions attempt to apply the design of the cosmos to our individual lives. It is the Christian faith, however, that reflects the caring attention to detail so evident in the species and ecosystems of the natural world. It is Christ who speaks of a Father who takes note of every sparrow that falls, a Father who numbers even the hairs of our head (Matthew 10:29-31). It is Christ who reveals a God who shows how much He cares for all that He has created. It is Christ who clothed Himself in our humanity to feel what we feel, and then to suffer and die in our place. It is Christ who reveals a God who cares as much about His creation as the design and detail of the natural world indicates (Psalms 19:1-6; Romans 1:16-25).
4. Its Continuity With The Past
The Christian faith offers continuity with our deepest ancestral roots. Those who trust Christ are accepting the same Creator and Lord worshiped by Adam, Abraham, Sarah, and Solomon. Jesus didn't reject the past. He was the God of the past (John 1:1-14). When He lived among us, He showed us how to live according to the original plan. When He died, He fulfilled the whole Old Testament sacrificial system. And when He rose from the dead, the salvation He offered fulfilled God's promise to Abraham that through his descendant He would bring blessing to the whole world. The Christian faith is not new with Christ. From Genesis to Revelation it is one story. It is His story -- and ours (Acts 2:22-39; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8).
5. Its Foundational Claim
The first Christians were not driven by political or religious dissent. Their primary issues were not moral or social. They were not well-credentialed theologians or social philosophers. They were witnesses. They risked their lives to tell the world that with their own eyes they had seen an innocent man die and then miraculously walk among them 3 days later (Acts 5:17-42). Their argument was very concrete. Jesus was crucified under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. His body was buried and sealed in a borrowed tomb. Guards were posted to prevent grave tampering. Yet after 3 days the tomb was empty and witnesses were risking their lives to declare that He was alive.
6. Its Power To Change Lives
Not only were the first disciples dramatically changed, but so was one of their worst enemies. Paul was transformed from a Christian killer into one of their chief advocates (Galatians 1:11-24). Later he reflected the changes that had occurred in others as well when he wrote to the church in Corinth, "Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
7. Its Analysis Of Human Nature
The Bible says that society's real problems are problems of the heart. In an age of information and technology, failures of character have scandalized institutions of family, government, science, industry, religion, education, and the arts. In the most sophisticated society the world has ever known, our national reputation is marred by problems of racial prejudice, addiction, abuse, divorce, and sexually transmitted disease. Many want to believe that our problems are rooted in ignorance, diet, and government. But to our generation and all others, Jesus said, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man" (Matthew 15:19-20).
8. Its View Of Human Achievement
Generation after generation has hoped for the best. We fought wars that would end all wars. We developed educational theories that would produce enlightened, nonviolent children. We conceived technologies that would deliver us from the oppressive slavery of work. Yet we are as close as ever to what the New Testament describes as an endtime marked by wars and rumors of war, earthquakes, disease, loss of affection, and spiritual deception (Matthew 15:19-20; Timothy 3:1-5).
9. Its Impact On Society
A carpenter rabbi from Nazareth changed the world. Calendars and dated documents bear silent witness to His birth. From rooftops, necklaces, and earrings, the sign of the cross bears visual witness to His death. The Western world-view, which provided a basis for social morality, scientific methodology, and a work ethic that fueled industry, had roots in basic Christian values. Social relief agencies, whether in the West or East, are not fueled by the values of Hinduism, Buddhism, atheism, or secular agnosticism, but by the direct or residual values of the Bible.
10. Its Offer Of Salvation
Alternative religious views have saviors who remain in the grave. No other system offers everlasting life as a gift to those who trust One who has overcome death for them. No other system offers assurance of forgiveness, eternal life, and adoption into the family of God by calling on and trusting Someone in the same way a drowning person calls for and relies on the rescue of a lifeguard (Romans 10:9-13). The salvation Christ offers does not depend on what we have done for Him, but on our acceptance of what He has done for us. Instead of moral and religious effort, this salvation requires a helpless admission of our sins. Instead of personal accomplishments of faith, it requires confession of failure. Unlike all other options of faith, Christ asks us to follow Him -- not to merit salvation but as an expression of gratitude, love, and confidence in the One who has saved us (Ephesians 2:8-10).
You're Not Alone
You're not alone if you find yourself honestly unconvinced about whether Christ rose from the dead. But keep in mind that Jesus promised God's help to those who want to be right with God. He said, "If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own" (John 7:17 NIV).
If you do see the reasonableness of the resurrection, keep in mind that the Bible says Christ died to pay the price for our sins, and those who believe in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead will be saved (Romans 10:9-10). The salvation Christ offers is not a reward for effort, but a gift to all who in light of the evidence put their trust in Him.
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Sunday, September 12, 2010
An Atheist Professor in conversation with his student
Saw and heard this many times. Post just for the benefit of others..
An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his class on the Problem Science has with GOD, the ALMIGHTY. He asked one of his New Christian Students to stand and…
Professor: You are a Christian, aren’t you, son?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, you Believe in GOD?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Professor: Is GOD Good?
Student: Sure.
Professor: Is GOD ALL-POWERFUL?
Student: Yes.
Professor: My Brother died of Cancer even though he Prayed to GOD to Heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
(Student was silent)
Professor: You can’t answer, can you? Let’s start again, Young Fella. Is GOD Good?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Is Satan good?
Student: No.
Professor: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From… GOD…
Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this World?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Professor: So who created evil?
(Student did not answer)
Professor: Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the World, don’t they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who Created them?
(Student ha d no answer)
Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe the World around you. Tell me, son… Have you ever Seen GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever Heard your GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Have you ever Felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.
Professor: Yet you still Believe in HIM?
Student: Yes.
Professor: According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my Faith.
Professor: Yes, Faith. And that is the Problem Science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as Heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as Cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student: No, sir. There isn’t.
(The Lecture Theatre became very quiet with this turn of events)
Student: Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat, a Little Heat or No Heat. But we don’t have anything called Cold. We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero which is No Heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as Cold. Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat. We cannot Measure Cold. Heat is Energy. Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.
(There was Pin-Drop Silence in the Lecture Theatre)
Student: What about Darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as Darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is Night if there isn’t Darkness?
Student: You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the Absence of Something. You can have Low Light, Normal Light, Bright Light, Flashing Light… But if you have No Light constantly, you have nothing and its called Darkness, isn’t it? In reality, Darkness isn’t. If it is, were you would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn’t you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, Young Man?
Student: Sir, my point is your Philosophical Premise is flawed.
Professor: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality. You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD. You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a Thought. It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing. Death is Not the Opposite of Life, just the Absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your Students that they evolved from a Monkey?
Professor: If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shook his head with a Smile, beginning to realize where the Argument was going)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and Cannot even prove that this Process is an On-Going Endeavor. Are you not teaching your Opinion, sir? Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?
(The Class was in Uproar)
Student: Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor’s Brain?
(The Class broke out into Laughter)
Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s Brain, Felt it, touched or Smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that You have No Brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then Trust your Lectures, sir?
(The Room was Silent. The Professor stared at the Student, his face unfathomable)
Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student: That is it sir… Exactly! The Link between Man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that Keeps Things Alive and Moving.
Professor: You are a Christian, aren’t you, son?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, you Believe in GOD?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Professor: Is GOD Good?
Student: Sure.
Professor: Is GOD ALL-POWERFUL?
Student: Yes.
Professor: My Brother died of Cancer even though he Prayed to GOD to Heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
(Student was silent)
Professor: You can’t answer, can you? Let’s start again, Young Fella. Is GOD Good?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Is Satan good?
Student: No.
Professor: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From… GOD…
Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this World?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Professor: So who created evil?
(Student did not answer)
Professor: Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the World, don’t they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who Created them?
(Student ha d no answer)
Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe the World around you. Tell me, son… Have you ever Seen GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever Heard your GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Have you ever Felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.
Professor: Yet you still Believe in HIM?
Student: Yes.
Professor: According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my Faith.
Professor: Yes, Faith. And that is the Problem Science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as Heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as Cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student: No, sir. There isn’t.
(The Lecture Theatre became very quiet with this turn of events)
Student: Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat, a Little Heat or No Heat. But we don’t have anything called Cold. We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero which is No Heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as Cold. Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat. We cannot Measure Cold. Heat is Energy. Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.
(There was Pin-Drop Silence in the Lecture Theatre)
Student: What about Darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as Darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is Night if there isn’t Darkness?
Student: You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the Absence of Something. You can have Low Light, Normal Light, Bright Light, Flashing Light… But if you have No Light constantly, you have nothing and its called Darkness, isn’t it? In reality, Darkness isn’t. If it is, were you would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn’t you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, Young Man?
Student: Sir, my point is your Philosophical Premise is flawed.
Professor: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality. You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD. You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a Thought. It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing. Death is Not the Opposite of Life, just the Absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your Students that they evolved from a Monkey?
Professor: If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shook his head with a Smile, beginning to realize where the Argument was going)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and Cannot even prove that this Process is an On-Going Endeavor. Are you not teaching your Opinion, sir? Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?
(The Class was in Uproar)
Student: Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor’s Brain?
(The Class broke out into Laughter)
Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s Brain, Felt it, touched or Smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that You have No Brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then Trust your Lectures, sir?
(The Room was Silent. The Professor stared at the Student, his face unfathomable)
Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student: That is it sir… Exactly! The Link between Man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that Keeps Things Alive and Moving.
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Thursday, September 09, 2010
Friday, March 13, 2009
Absolute Truth
Written by: Joshua Joscelyn
What is truth? What is the nature of truth? Is there even such a thing as truth? Some would argue that truth is relative, and that they are absolutely certain that we cannot be absolutely certain of any truth. As ridiculous as this statement sounds, the logic goes something like this. I perceive reality through a different lens or filter than does anyone else, and therefore, my reality is different than your reality. Those who subscribe to this school of thought claim that truth is relative - based upon perspective or perception. This relativism, known as subjectivism, states that absolute truth does not exist, and that reality is contingent upon the subject.
There is another side to this debate, however, and those on this side claim that we can be absolutely certain that there is absolute truth. This is called objectivism, and holds that truth is not determined by the subject, but rather is inherent in the object. In other words, this truth never changes - no matter who is looking at it or how. In the scientific realm, these objectivists believe that their theories do not provide just a better understanding of reality - as the relativists believe - but rather, that they are reality in themselves. Instead of agreeing with the relativists that theories help our perception of reality, they claim that their theories are reality - or absolutely true.
The problem with objectivism in science is that science alone simply cannot yield absolute certainty due to its inductive nature. Science observes clues about reality, and makes assumptions and conclusions about reality, based upon these clues. In essence, science starts at the bottom, and seeks to understand the truth at the top without a first-hand knowledge of reality. Their perception is limited to their theories. Though science can give us a good idea of reality, or reasonable certainty, only God's Word can give absolute certainty. A detective cannot be absolutely certain of what took place based upon the clues alone. Though he can formulate a good theory and be reasonably certain his theory is correct, this cannot be compared to the absolute certainty that comes from a first-hand account such as viewing security camera footage of the event in question. So while science is important, it cannot be compared to the first-hand account recorded in Scripture. Absolute truth does exist. The Bible tells us "thy word is truth" (Jn 17:17b). Our foundation for absolute truth rests upon God's Word. All other ground is sinking sand.
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Thursday, January 01, 2009
Going rate to kill pastor: $250
WorldNetDaily
Going rate to kill pastor: $250
Rewards offered for murdering Christians, destroying homes, churches
Posted: November 20, 2008
11:30 pm Eastern
By Chelsea Schilling
WorldNetDaily
Hindu extremist groups are offering money, food and alcohol to anyone who murders Christians and destroys their homes.
The violence is nothing new in Orissa, India, where India's Communist Party estimates that more than 500 Christians have been killed by Hindu mobs in Orissa since late August, 12 times more than official government claims of only 40 homicides.
But now the stakes are even higher – and pastors have a bounty on their heads.
Faiz Rahman, chairman of Good News India, said Hindu militants are targeting Christian leaders, the Christian Post reported.
"The going price to kill a pastor is $250," he said.
Rahman, a head of several orphanages in Orissa State, said he's helped 25 pastors to leave refugee camps, but 250 Christian leaders are still in shelters.
"All of the pastors are high value targets," Rahman told the UK-based Release International. "We've got to get them out of the refugee camps."
An All-India Christian Council spokesman said, "People are being offered rewards to kill, and to destroy churches and Christian properties. They are being offered foreign liquor, chicken, mutton and weapons. They are given petrol and kerosene."
(Story continues below)
One official said he personally authorized "cremation of more than 200 bodies" found in jungles after Christians were blamed for the death of Hindu leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati on Aug. 24. They continue to be persecuted even though Maoists openly admitted to murdering Saraswati.
Thousands of homes and churches have been destroyed, and an estimated 50,000 Christians have been forced to flee the violence. Mission Network News estimates 5,000 Christian homes have been burned and 200 churches ruined. According to the Christian Post, 30,000 people remain in government-operated refugee camps. Tens of thousands are living in forests – many seriously wounded.
Father Manoj, based at the archbishop’s office in Bhubaneshwar, said Christians remain in hiding.
"They are too scared to go home. They know that if they return to their villages they will be forced to convert to Hinduism."
Religious rights group Barnabus Fund told the group Hindu militants "forced" Christians in Orissa to "convert" to Hinduism by threatening them with rape if they refused.
Neighbors reportedly gang-raped a Hindu woman after her Christian uncle refused to renounce his faith, according to reports.
Another Christian woman named Jaspina was told by neighbors, "If you go on being Christian, we will burn your house and your children in front of you." She and her family were forced to eat cow excrement to "purify" themselves of Christianity.
Other Christians were doused with gasoline and told to participate in conversion ceremonies or be lit on fire.
This week, Hindu extremists said they have set a deadline for the capture of Saraswati's murderers. If the killers are not caught by Dec. 15, they promised to begin a massacre on Dec. 25, Christmas day.
According to the latest report, Orissa's Catholic bishops wrote an ominous letter to the state's chief minister. It read, "This conflict is a calculated and pre-planned master plan to wipe out Christianity from Kandhamal in order to realize the hidden agenda … of establishing a Hindu nation."
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Saturday, December 06, 2008
Children are born believers in God, academic claims
Children are born believers in God, academic claims
Children are "born believers" in God and do not simply acquire religious beliefs through indoctrination, according to an academic.
By Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent
Last Updated: 11:36PM GMT 24 Nov 2008
Dr Justin Barrett, a senior researcher at the University of Oxford's Centre for Anthropology and Mind, claims that young people have a predisposition to believe in a supreme being because they assume that everything in the world was created with a purpose.
He says that young children have faith even when they have not been taught about it by family or at school, and argues that even those raised alone on a desert island would come to believe in God.
"The preponderance of scientific evidence for the past 10 years or so has shown that a lot more seems to be built into the natural development of children's minds than we once thought, including a predisposition to see the natural world as designed and purposeful and that some kind of intelligent being is behind that purpose," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"If we threw a handful on an island and they raised themselves I think they would believe in God."
In a lecture to be given at the University of Cambridge's Faraday Institute on Tuesday, Dr Barrett will cite psychological experiments carried out on children that he says show they instinctively believe that almost everything has been designed with a specific purpose.
In one study, six and seven-year-olds who were asked why the first bird existed replied "to make nice music" and "because it makes the world look nice".
Another experiment on 12-month-old babies suggested that they were surprised by a film in which a rolling ball apparently created a neat stack of blocks from a disordered heap.
Dr Barrett said there is evidence that even by the age of four, children understand that although some objects are made by humans, the natural world is different.
He added that this means children are more likely to believe in creationism rather than evolution, despite what they may be told by parents or teachers.
Dr Barrett claimed anthropologists have found that in some cultures children believe in God even when religious teachings are withheld from them.
"Children's normally and naturally developing minds make them prone to believe in divine creation and intelligent design. In contrast, evolution is unnatural for human minds; relatively difficult to believe."
Children are "born believers" in God and do not simply acquire religious beliefs through indoctrination, according to an academic.
By Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent
Last Updated: 11:36PM GMT 24 Nov 2008
Dr Justin Barrett, a senior researcher at the University of Oxford's Centre for Anthropology and Mind, claims that young people have a predisposition to believe in a supreme being because they assume that everything in the world was created with a purpose.
He says that young children have faith even when they have not been taught about it by family or at school, and argues that even those raised alone on a desert island would come to believe in God.
"The preponderance of scientific evidence for the past 10 years or so has shown that a lot more seems to be built into the natural development of children's minds than we once thought, including a predisposition to see the natural world as designed and purposeful and that some kind of intelligent being is behind that purpose," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"If we threw a handful on an island and they raised themselves I think they would believe in God."
In a lecture to be given at the University of Cambridge's Faraday Institute on Tuesday, Dr Barrett will cite psychological experiments carried out on children that he says show they instinctively believe that almost everything has been designed with a specific purpose.
In one study, six and seven-year-olds who were asked why the first bird existed replied "to make nice music" and "because it makes the world look nice".
Another experiment on 12-month-old babies suggested that they were surprised by a film in which a rolling ball apparently created a neat stack of blocks from a disordered heap.
Dr Barrett said there is evidence that even by the age of four, children understand that although some objects are made by humans, the natural world is different.
He added that this means children are more likely to believe in creationism rather than evolution, despite what they may be told by parents or teachers.
Dr Barrett claimed anthropologists have found that in some cultures children believe in God even when religious teachings are withheld from them.
"Children's normally and naturally developing minds make them prone to believe in divine creation and intelligent design. In contrast, evolution is unnatural for human minds; relatively difficult to believe."
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Friday, November 21, 2008
Planet Earth
Psalm 19:1-3: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
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Monday, September 29, 2008
The Final Analysis
人们经常是不讲道理的、没有逻辑的和以自我为中心的，不管怎样，你要原谅他们；
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;Forgive them anyway.
即使你是友善的，人们可能还是会说你自私和动机不良，不管怎样，你还是要友善；
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;Be kind anyway.
当你成功的时候，你会有一些虚假的朋友和一些真实的敌人，不管怎样，你还是要取得成功；
If you are successful, you will win some false friends.And some true enemies;Succeed anyway.
即使你是诚实的和坦率的，人们可能还是会欺骗你，不管怎样，你还是要诚实和坦率；
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;Be honest and frank anyway.
你多年来建造的东西，有人在一夜之间把它摧毁，不管怎样，你还是要去建造；
What you spend years building,Someone could destroy overnight;Build anyway.
如果你找到了平安和喜乐，他们可能会嫉妒你，不管怎样，你还是要喜乐；
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;Be happy anyway.
你今天做的善事，人们往往明天就会忘记，不管怎样，你还是要做善事；
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;Be good anyway.
即使把你最好的东西给了这个世界，也许这些东西永远都不够，不管怎样，把你最好的东西给这个世界；
Give the world the best you have,And it may never be enough;Give the world the best you have anyway.
你看，说到底，它是你和上帝之间的事，而决不是你和他人之间的事。
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;It is never between you and them anyway.
——德蕾莎修女 Mother Teresa of Calcutta
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Sunday, August 10, 2008
Albert Einstein is neither an atheist nor a christian. He is a deist!
After reviewing a few articles on whether Einstein is a believer of God; whether he is a christian, I have chosen this article to put on the this post. I feel the article below is good enough to answer these burning questions. I will put up more relevant articles if I happen to come across. If you are interested to know more, you may want to read: His Life and Universe
Did Albert Einstein Believe in a Personal God?
by Rich Deem
Introduction
I get a fair amount of e-mail about Albert Einstein's quote1 on the homepage of Evidence for God from Science, so I thought it would be good to clarify the matter. Atheists object to the use of the quote, since Einstein might best be described as an agnostic.2 Einstein himself stated quite clearly that he did not believe in a personal God:
"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly."
No personal God
So, the quick answer to the question is that Einstein did not believe in a personal God. It is however, interesting how he arrived at that conclusion. In developing the theory of relativity, Einstein realized that the equations led to the conclusion that the universe had a beginning. He didn't like the idea of a beginning, because he thought one would have to conclude that the universe was created by God. So, he added a cosmological constant to the equation to attempt to get rid of the beginning. He said this was one of the worst mistakes of his life. Of course, the results of Edwin Hubble confirmed that the universe was expanding and had a beginning at some point in the past. So, Einstein became a deist - a believer in an impersonal creator God:
"I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with fates and actions of human beings."
However, it would also seem that Einstein was not an atheist, since he also complained about being put into that camp:
"In view of such harmony in the cosmos which I, with my limited human mind, am able to recognize, there are yet people who say there is no God. But what really makes me angry is that they quote me for the support of such views."
"I'm not an atheist and I don't think I can call myself a pantheist. We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child dimly suspects a mysterious order in the arrangements of the books, but doesn't know what it is. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human being toward God."
Why no personal God?
It is the second part of the quote that reveals the reason Einstein rejected the existence of a personal God. Einstein compared the remarkable design and order of the cosmos and could not reconcile those characteristics with the evil and suffering he found in human existence. How could an all-powerful God allow the suffering that exists on earth?
Einstein's error
Einstein's failure to understand the motives of God are the result of his incorrect assumption that God intended this universe as His ultimate perfect creation. Einstein could not get past the moral problems that are present in our universe. He assumed, as most atheists do, that a personal God would only create a universe which is both good morally and perfect physically. However, according to Christianity, the purpose of the universe is not to be morally or physically perfect, but to provide a place where spiritual creatures can choose to love or reject God - to live with Him forever in a new, perfect universe, or reject Him and live apart from Him for eternity. It would not be possible to make this choice in a universe in which all moral choices are restricted to only good choices. Einstein didn't seem to understand that one could not choose between good and bad if bad did not exist. It's amazing that such a brilliant man could not understand such a simple logical principle.
Conclusion
These days, those who fail to understand the purpose of evil not only reject the concept of a personal God, but also reject the concept of God's existence altogether. If you are an agnostic or atheist, my goal for you would be to recognize what Albert Einstein understood about the universe - that its amazing design demands the existence of a creator God. Then, go beyond Einstein's faulty understanding of the purpose of the universe and consider the Christian explanation for the purpose of human life and why evil must exist in this world.
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Sunday, July 13, 2008
"Please don't leave me!"
Click the link above for better reading experience...
To whom it may concern ....
"Please don't leave me!"
Interview with Sharon Mah
By Christine Tan
Email article to a friend
1.30pm: I expectantly wait for my interview with Sharon Mah, a full-time vocalist in a band called, Soul2soul. Soon, a confident and nicely dressed Sharon hurried into the room and we comfortably started our conversation. Throughout the one hour, Sharon was open and real to share on her past encounters of love. She would easily break into laughter as well as struggle in tears as she recalled her difficult moments.
CT: Sharon, I heard your band would be playing a few gigs on the campuses. I guess you will be sharing your journey with the audience too. Is there a side of a story you have never shared with them before?
SM: Yes (smiles)...Since my first boyfriend in junior college, I had been jumping from a relationship to another. I've always had a guy in my life since then and felt that I would only be complete with one (laughs). Being in a relationship with a guy gave me security, as this made me feel wanted and loved.
CT: So did your past relationships make you feel loved and satisfied?
SM: Not exactly. There were often arguments and hurts, but I would give in to the guy and sweep everything under the carpet. I felt torn apart every single time this happened as I was pretending that everything was okay, when it wasn't. I would just keep holding on tightly until he called for a break-up, every time.
CT: How did you cope with your break-ups?
SM: After a break-up, I would often panic and even cease to "function." It's strange, because on the outside I tend to come across as independent and strong, but when it comes to love, I am so fearful. Even my friends didn't understand why! (laughs)
CT: Why were you afraid of being single? What did you do to make your relationship work?
SM: I was too afraid to let go because I had fears of being lonely or unwanted. So I tried all means to cling to the guy, even when things were not working out for us. For example, I gave in to physical intimacy, even when I wasn't comfortable with it. It was like my means of controlling the guy and making him stay. Yet, inside I would feel miserable and guilty at the same time.
CT: You must have felt terrible. What was your last relationship like?
SM: With my last boyfriend, we got along pretty well, but after 3 years of dating, marriage became a point of tension. He was unsure of marriage and whether I was the one for him (sighed). Again, my greatest fear surfaced and inside I was crying out, "Please don't leave me!" So, I tried to make the relationship work by clinging to him. But my worst nightmare came true when he initiated the break-up. I was so devastated as I thought he would be "the One" for me.
CT: How did you survive the break-up?
SM: At this time, I reached the breaking point of my life...I could only turn to God. You see, I'd been a Christian all my life, but I had never trusted this area of my life to God. I clung to my fear of abandonment despite knowing that God's always there for me (her eyes begin to swell with tears). But this time, I finally realized I couldn't go on like this anymore. I told God that I was not going to play games with Him again...I was tired of messing around and tired of breaking-up. I was tired of feeling insecure and lonely, and trying to fill that gap by having a guy in my life. I surrendered my fears to God and remembered telling God, "I just want what You want for me."
CT: What happened after you entrusted your fears to God?
SM: Amazingly for the very first time in my life, after I decided to trust God to clean up my life, I was at peace. It's not that the pain and fears disappeared overnight. I still hurt tremendously. But it didn't consume me as much as it did before. And where I had expected to feel despair, God gradually filled me with quiet hope. I slowly realized that God loves me just the way I wanted to be loved, in a deeply complete way. To expect that quality of love from someone else is not realistic at all. God delights in me as His child, and His love does not change.
CT: How did everything turn out for you in the end?
SM: Months later, my (last) ex-boyfriend and I met up again and I told him with a genuine smile, "Breaking up with you is the best thing that ever happened to me!" I knew I was a changed person then.
CT: Wow! That's amazing. What was your ex-boyfriend's response?
SM: To my great amazement, my ex-boyfriend told me God was also teaching him things in his life, that he needed to love me the right way.
It was at this point that he asked for us to get back together again. This time round, I surprised myself by telling him that I'd pray and think about it (I think he was surprised as well!). You see, my old self would have jumped right back into the relationship, but this time, I was at peace with not being in one. After a week, I eventually agreed. I think that must have been the longest week of his life!
Two months after we got back together, he proposed and we've been happily married for three and a half years now! God knew I needed to be changed before I commit myself into marriage.
CT: Indeed, break-ups, feelings of loneliness and abandonment are common heartbreakers in our lives. Some leave a deep scar behind while some leave us screaming in pain. But I guess the irony is that in spite of knowing the danger, we still willing get ourselves entangle in relationships or go in a wild search of the perfect lover. Something I learned from Sharon's story is that Sharon finally got her happily-ever-after, not because she found her Prince Charming, but because she has found security and love in God. God has taken away her fears of abandonment and replaced it with an assurance of His perfect love for her.
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The story of Whei Jie and Fabia
Click the link above for better reading experience ( with a couple of their photos) ...
May God work out my life the same way as He did for Whei Jie and Fabia ...
The story of Whei Jie and Fabia
By Christine Tan
In my mind, a picture of perfect love is a loving couple committed to one another despite the circumstances. However, in the world today, break-ups and divorces are prevalent, and circumstances often determine a couple's commitment rather than vice-versa. Many couples change partners casually and often too frequently. The trend perceived is that the wisest (and perhaps "coolest") thing to do is to have many partners, so as to find the "right" one for your life. Apart from our grandparent's generation of matchmaking, it is rare to find a couple whose first love becomes their eventual life partner.
Whei Jie and Fabia, both 27, were each other's first love. After a long courtship of 8 years, they got married in September 2006. They overcame all odds, including a four year long distance relationship. You might find them rather familiar as this couple has graced the front cover of the "Naked I" magazine.
Their Story
Unlike her peers, Fabia had a different perspective on love and relationships. In her teens, she firmly believed that her first boyfriend should also become her husband-to-be. She wanted to commit to a relationship that would last. She also believed that her future boyfriend must be a Christian, one who loves and follows God. For her, the test came in January 1998, when she entered Junior College and met Whei Jie.
Whei Jie, who came from a neighbouring school, was extremely playful and had no interest in girls until he met his new classmate Fabia. He found himself attracted to Fabia because of the care she showed him as his friend. They were very comfortable with one another and slowly the feelings developed.
Fabia liked Whei jie, but there was a huge barrier that prevented her from beginning this relationship. Whei Jie was not a Christian, and she felt she would not be obeying God if she accepted him as her boyfriend. Fabia was torn, yet she knew she had to make the right decision and wanted to put God above her own desires. She gave the relationship to God and trusted that He would work something out for her.
One fateful night, Fabia revealed to Whei Jie her reason for not committing to the relationship. Whei Jie was taken aback by her decision. Though Whei Jie had been to church a couple of times, he could not understand why Fabia would be so serious about her Christian faith and allow it to determine her decision. After several days of reflection, Whei Jie's interest towards Christianity grew, not because of his enthusiasm in pursuing Fabia, but to find out who Jesus Christ really is. After months of reading the Bible, he was convinced that Jesus is the only way to salvation and life. He decided to place his faith in Christ. This time, Whei Jie knew that even if his relationship with Fabia did not work out, he would still believe in Christ. His sincere faith in Christ gave Fabia the assurance she needed.
Mid 1998, the couple began their courtship. From the start, they made the decision that their relationship would lead to marriage and that they would work on it despite the circumstances. At a young age of 17 they held on to their commitment, even when Fabia left to study in Australia for four years. They married 8 years later in September 2006.
Q: Fabia, I am really amazed that you had the courage to make the decision not to accept Whei Jie. What were the thoughts that went through your mind?
It was a hard and torturous time because I really liked Whei Jie. However, I knew that for him to begin a relationship with God was far more important than beginning a relationship with me. I wanted him to know God. Furthermore, I knew that if Whei Jie did not understand the love of God, he would not understand how I could or would want to be loved. Looking back, I know it is only God who could have given me the courage to make such a decision when I was just 17.
Q: Whei Jie, how did your life change after you accepted Christ?
God gave me a clear sense of direction and purpose, e.g. how to love, who to marry, etc. After we got together, I made the decision to love her in the way God loves me. I committed myself to be her husband. I also know my future is secure with Him.
Q: Wow! You were one another's first love! How did you maintain this courtship till marriage?
There was a lot of security in our relationship. From the start, we were very serious about making our relationship last and being faithful to each other. At the young age of 17, we made a commitment to work our relationship towards marriage. With God's help, we have been together for almost ten years now!
Q: Both of you were apart for 4 years, were you ever tempted to break-up?
There was never a point in our relationship where we were tempted to break-up, even when Fabia was studying overseas. It was not easy as we were apart for so long, but we held on to our commitment to be together. God helped us to cope with our loneliness and held us strong together. Looking back, it was in those 4 years that we both grew a lot in our faith in God.
Q: In your opinion, what is the key to a lasting relationship?
The couple must choose to believe that their relationship will last. It is a commitment to love each other to the end, not to make anyone your "reserve" if the relationship won't work out. Commitment and sacrifice are crucial. Besides these, it is also of utmost importance to allow God be the anchor of your relationship because no matter how perfect a couple seems, they will still hurt each other. God is the only unchanging One who loves us unconditionally and perfectly!
Q: Lasting relationships are rare in today's culture. Why do you think someone should stay committed in a relationship and not jump from one person to another?
Our hearts are valuable. We should not settle for the second best. A lot of people jump into relationships because they need affection and love to fill the emptiness of their hearts. If we commit ourselves loosely in a relationship, we will inevitably end up being hurt again and again. As a result, we will carry our scars and burdens from one relationship to another.
The story of Fabia and Whei Jie is an unusual one. At the point of a crossroad, Fabia surrendered the relationship to the will of God. In the face of rejection, Whei Jie discovered that the love of God for him is far greater that his own love for Fabia. As a result of their obedience and pursuit of God, they found each other. Does perfect love exist? Yes, I believe it does. When we are loved by the Perfect Lover, Jesus Christ, can we truly know how to love each other.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." --1 John 4:7-10
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The Mayonnaise Jar and Coffee Cup
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar...
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things- your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions-things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else-the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with God. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal."
Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand. One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
Author Unknown - First appeared in 2001
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things- your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions-things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else-the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with God. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal."
Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand. One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
Author Unknown - First appeared in 2001
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Monday, February 11, 2008
A Christian Celebration of Chinese New Year
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Biting My Tongue
This article is about speaking in tongue. For those interested in this issue can read the article below:
http://graceatwork.org/view.php3?Id=350
When I was interviewed for the position of pastor of First
Baptist Church, I had to answer one key question: "Do you
speak in tongues?"
The church had been split by the charismatic
controversy. They had to know.
My answer then and my answer now is this:"What you need to
know is my theology on the matter. That is more critical
then whether I have this gift."
I have not revisited this topic for some time. In the twenty
odd years since that interview many of the churches I know
have moved beyond that controversy and that divide. There
has been a lot of maturing all round. Although different
churches still have different views on the subject there is
a much higher level of mutual respect and a lot of healthy
learning between different traditions. (I am grateful for
the many friends I have from Pentecostal and charismatic
traditions. I am grateful for their friendship and the
opportunities we have for working together.)
But once in a while you get "deja vu all over again" and you
get a speaker or a group that pushes the classical
Pentecostal position on tongues, tongues here understood as
an unknown language, sounds uttered in prayer unintelligible
to the one praying and to others (1 Corinthians 14:2).
Usually the agenda is the desire to see the release of God's
supernatural power. This is something seen as happening in a
believer's life separate from conversion, an event often
referred to as the baptism of the Spirit. As evidence that
this release had taken place, one was given the gift of
tongues. Tongues became something very critical because it
was identified with spiritual empowerment which is the real
goal.
So what is my take on this?
First off I am very grateful to my Pentecostal and
charismatic friends for reminding us of the need for the
Holy Spirit's power. Luke summarizes Jesus's ministry in
this way: "...with respect to Jesus from Nazareth, that God
anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went
around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the
devil, because God was with him." (Acts 10:38 NET)
The link between supernatural power, the Holy Spirit and
the ability to do God's work is clear. And Jesus is the
model for His church.
Too often the modern church has put her trust in techniques,
technology and good marketing to get God's job done,
basically paying lip service to the need for the Spirit's
anointing. We welcome every reminder that while we should
appreciate all tools the Lord gives us, our ultimate trust
is in Him and in His empowerment.
But what is the linkage between spiritual anointing and the
gift of tongues? Is tongues something that everyone should
be seeking as the sign of God's empowerment?
My starting point is 1 Corinthians 12: 29-30
"Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are
they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform
miracles, do they? Not all have gifts of healing, do they?
Not all speak in tongues, do they? Not all interpret, do
they?" (NET)
There is no ambiguity in the Greek. Paul is asking a
rhetorical question that demands the answer "no". No,
tongues is not for everyone.
Remember that Paul is writing to a church that included a
faction that was pushing for more dramatic manifestations of
the Spirit including the gift of tongues. This was a group
who probably saw themselves as spiritual elites who wanted
others to join them and apparently one of the marks that you
had reached their level of anointing was the exercise of the
gift of tongues.
Paul is clear. No, not everyone has this gift. Indeed it is
the Lord who decides who gets what gift. (1 Corinthians
12:11).
But Paul is not against the gift of tongues. He admits to
exercising the gift frequently in his private prayers. But
he is also clear that his preference is that intelligible
language be used when the church gathers so that believers
can be edified.
"I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you,
but in the church I want to speak five words with my mind to
instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a
tongue." (1 Corinthians 14:18-19 NET).
There are those who argue that there is a "sign of tongues"
which is to be differentiated from the "gift of tongues." At
Pentecost one of the signs that the Spirit had come was
tongues. And everyone ought to seek this "sign of tongues"
as evidence for the Spirit's anointing though not all will
be given the "gift of tongues."
I do not see this differentiation in Scripture.
The word "tongues" is the same both in Acts 2 and in 1
Corinthians. And if one were to push for the signs at
Pentecost should we not also push for the sound of a violent
wind and the tongues of fire?
Therefore I am not convinced that the gift of tongues is the
indispensable sign of God's empowerment or that all
Christians should strive to get it. And I am against any
sort of elitism in the church. There are no second class
Christians at the Lord's table.
But I am convinced that we desperately need the empowerment
of the Spirit for the life and mission of the church. How
then do we appropriate God's power for His purposes? For my
answer I go to Acts 4: 23-31.
Here we find a church totally sold out to God and His
purposes. Initial success in mission work had provoked
persecution. God's power was critically needed for a breakthrough. And so the group joined in corporate prayer beseeching the Lord to intervene and work His power with the following results:
"When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled
together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy
Spirit and began to speak the word of God courageously."
http://graceatwor
When I was interviewed for the position of pastor of First
Baptist Church, I had to answer one key question: "Do you
speak in tongues?"
The church had been split by the charismatic
controversy. They had to know.
My answer then and my answer now is this:"What you need to
know is my theology on the matter. That is more critical
then whether I have this gift."
I have not revisited this topic for some time. In the twenty
odd years since that interview many of the churches I know
have moved beyond that controversy and that divide. There
has been a lot of maturing all round. Although different
churches still have different views on the subject there is
a much higher level of mutual respect and a lot of healthy
learning between different traditions. (I am grateful for
the many friends I have from Pentecostal and charismatic
traditions. I am grateful for their friendship and the
opportunities we have for working together.)
But once in a while you get "deja vu all over again" and you
get a speaker or a group that pushes the classical
Pentecostal position on tongues, tongues here understood as
an unknown language, sounds uttered in prayer unintelligible
to the one praying and to others (1 Corinthians 14:2).
Usually the agenda is the desire to see the release of God's
supernatural power. This is something seen as happening in a
believer's life separate from conversion, an event often
referred to as the baptism of the Spirit. As evidence that
this release had taken place, one was given the gift of
tongues. Tongues became something very critical because it
was identified with spiritual empowerment which is the real
goal.
So what is my take on this?
First off I am very grateful to my Pentecostal and
charismatic friends for reminding us of the need for the
Holy Spirit's power. Luke summarizes Jesus's ministry in
this way: "...with respect to Jesus from Nazareth, that God
anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went
around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the
devil, because God was with him." (Acts 10:38 NET)
The link between supernatural power, the Holy Spirit and
the ability to do God's work is clear. And Jesus is the
model for His church.
Too often the modern church has put her trust in techniques,
technology and good marketing to get God's job done,
basically paying lip service to the need for the Spirit's
anointing. We welcome every reminder that while we should
appreciate all tools the Lord gives us, our ultimate trust
is in Him and in His empowerment.
But what is the linkage between spiritual anointing and the
gift of tongues? Is tongues something that everyone should
be seeking as the sign of God's empowerment?
My starting point is 1 Corinthians 12: 29-30
"Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are
they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform
miracles, do they? Not all have gifts of healing, do they?
Not all speak in tongues, do they? Not all interpret, do
they?" (NET)
There is no ambiguity in the Greek. Paul is asking a
rhetorical question that demands the answer "no". No,
tongues is not for everyone.
Remember that Paul is writing to a church that included a
faction that was pushing for more dramatic manifestations of
the Spirit including the gift of tongues. This was a group
who probably saw themselves as spiritual elites who wanted
others to join them and apparently one of the marks that you
had reached their level of anointing was the exercise of the
gift of tongues.
Paul is clear. No, not everyone has this gift. Indeed it is
the Lord who decides who gets what gift. (1 Corinthians
12:11).
But Paul is not against the gift of tongues. He admits to
exercising the gift frequently in his private prayers. But
he is also clear that his preference is that intelligible
language be used when the church gathers so that believers
can be edified.
"I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you,
but in the church I want to speak five words with my mind to
instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a
tongue." (1 Corinthians 14:18-19 NET).
There are those who argue that there is a "sign of tongues"
which is to be differentiated from the "gift of tongues." At
Pentecost one of the signs that the Spirit had come was
tongues. And everyone ought to seek this "sign of tongues"
as evidence for the Spirit's anointing though not all will
be given the "gift of tongues."
I do not see this differentiation in Scripture.
The word "tongues" is the same both in Acts 2 and in 1
Corinthians. And if one were to push for the signs at
Pentecost should we not also push for the sound of a violent
wind and the tongues of fire?
Therefore I am not convinced that the gift of tongues is the
indispensable sign of God's empowerment or that all
Christians should strive to get it. And I am against any
sort of elitism in the church. There are no second class
Christians at the Lord's table.
But I am convinced that we desperately need the empowerment
of the Spirit for the life and mission of the church. How
then do we appropriate God's power for His purposes? For my
answer I go to Acts 4: 23-31.
Here we find a church totally sold out to God and His
purposes. Initial success in mission work had provoked
persecution. God's power was critically needed for a breakthrough. And so the group joined in corporate prayer beseeching the Lord to intervene and work His power with the following results:
"When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled
together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy
Spirit and began to speak the word of God courageously."
(4:31 NET)
Yes there was accompanying physical phenomenon - the place
was shaken - and the Lord does that sometimes, but the key
words are "prayed," "filled with the Holy Spirit," and
"began to speak the word of God courageously."
When we focus on the phenomena of tongues we often get tied
up into all sorts of controversy that take us away from the
heart of the issue.
Instead of pushing tongues we should be searching our hearts
and asking, are we are indeed sold out to God and His
purposes? Are we really aware of our total helplessness to
do His work apart from His anointing?
Whatever our stand on the gift of the tongues, and every
church needs to define their position, we must major on
the majors.
Come O Lord and fill us again.
Your brother,
Soo-Inn Tan
Yes there was accompanying physical phenomenon - the place
was shaken - and the Lord does that sometimes, but the key
words are "prayed," "filled with the Holy Spirit," and
"began to speak the word of God courageously."
When we focus on the phenomena of tongues we often get tied
up into all sorts of controversy that take us away from the
heart of the issue.
Instead of pushing tongues we should be searching our hearts
and asking, are we are indeed sold out to God and His
purposes? Are we really aware of our total helplessness to
do His work apart from His anointing?
Whatever our stand on the gift of the tongues, and every
church needs to define their position, we must major on
the majors.
Come O Lord and fill us again.
Your brother,
Soo-Inn Tan
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Sunday, December 17, 2006
Should Christians Convert Others?
I find this article interesting . . .
Should Christians Convert Others?
by Tan Soo-Inn, 25 Jul 2003
http://graceatwork.org/view.php3?Id=174
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was quite jarring to walk into bookstores in Malaysia to be confronted with the cover of the June, 30th issue of TIME magazine. The headline screamed: "Should Christians Convert Muslims?" Fact is, there are state laws in Malaysia that penalizes anyone caught "enticing" a Muslim to leave his or her faith. Therefore the issue of how Christians should reach the Muslim community for Christ is one that is hardly discussed in public in Malaysia.
My first response to the headline was "I would frame the question differently." The Scriptures teach quite clearly that conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit i.e. God's own Spirit (John 16:8-11). A Christian may share the truths of the gospel, she may appeal to people to embrace the truth of the gospel, but he cannot convert anyone.
Indeed the church of Christ has often gotten into trouble when she crosses the boundary and tries to do the work of the Holy Spirit, "helping" people to convert through the use of military or governmental powers, or enticing people to Christ through the giving of aid in times of need.
(I quickly need to qualify that Christians are called to show compassion to all in need, giving with a free hand, giving unconditionally. This indirectly reveals the heart of Christ. But we cannot ever imply that to receive help, one must first embrace Christianity.)
No, we cannot convert anyone. Nevertheless, there are certain truths in the Scriptures that are clear. Two of them are:
1. Jesus is the only solution to the root problem of humankind - sin. "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 NRSV
2. Followers of Jesus are called to bring this message to all races and communities. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
The irony is that Islam and Christianity share a number of things in common. One of them is a common adherence to the concept of objective and absolute truth. Standing against the post modern mood of many truths for many people, Islam and Christianity would say that if Islam or Christianity were true, then other answers to the fundamental questions of humankind --- "where did we come from", "why are we what we are", "what is the ultimate solution for humankind's problems"---are wrong.
The temptation for Christians and Muslims alike, is to jettison our commitment to absolute truth. We are told to "play nice" and live and let live. Any position that takes truth as absolute will lead to fanaticism and violence. After all, the modern world is a pluralistic world of many faiths. Let every faith community do their own thing but don't try to "convert" others. This position is appealing because there many conflicts around the world that appear to be rooted in religious differences.
Unfortunately any backing away from a commitment to absolute truth undercuts the very basis of the truth of the Christian gospel. If Christianity is not true for all it is not true at all. Why should God come as man and to die on the cross if there was any other way? I am always amused when I hear people say that all religions are essentially the same. Such people betray the fact that they have not studied religions with any degree of depth.
Of course no one wants intercommunal violence. What this means for Christians is that we must take a long hard look at how we share the gospel. I am particularly partial to Leslie Newbigin's suggestion that the lives of Christians must be so different that we arouse the curiosity of those outside the faith. (See for example his "The Gospel In A Pluralist Society.") And when they ask why we are different, then we answer with the gospel. For example, I recall the enemies of Christ having to acknowledge "how they love one another" when they looked at the early Christian communities. I wonder if they would say the same today.
The whole question of Christian-Muslim relationships is a big and complex one. I speak to those within the Christian community. We follow a crucified Christ and have been specifically warned that his followers would suffer the same fate (2 Timothy 3:12). Suffering is intertwined deep in the Christian DNA. We must never kill for Christ (Matthew 26:47-56). But we must always be ready to suffer and die for Him.
Before we even think of such heroic possibilities, we must first ask: What is the quality of our life in Christ? Do Christians and churches reflect so jarringly the love and holiness of God that people pause to look and ask questions? Or are we qualitatively no different from those who do not follow Christ? If there is no real difference, then there really is nothing for people to "convert" to is there?
Your brother, Soo-Inn Tan
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Friday, November 17, 2006
About the resurrection of Jesus Christ
The late jurisprudential prodigy and international statesman Sir Lionel Luckhoo (of The Guinness Book of World Records fame for his unprecedented 245 consecutive defense murder trial acquittals) epitomized Christian enthusiasm and confidence in the strength of the case for the resurrection when he wrote, “I have spent more than 42 years as a defense trial lawyer appearing in many parts of the world and am still in active practice. I have been fortunate to secure a number of successes in jury trials and I say unequivocally the evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt.”
Reference:
Sir Lionel Luckhoo, The Question Answered: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? Luckhoo Booklets, back page. http://www.hawaiichristiansonline.com/sir_lionel.html.
Reference:
Sir Lionel Luckhoo, The Question Answered: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? Luckhoo Booklets, back page. http://www.hawaiichristiansonline.com/sir_lionel.html.
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