Posted by
Ikester on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 3:29:19 PM
I have been taking some heat lately by those who disagree with my writing on error in religion. Every religion claims to have a corner on the "truth" market and yet if religion has any value at all, and I believe that it does, then there has to be ONE set of truth. Truth is truth and anything added or taken away equals a distortion and untruth. To make them all correct would be insanity, since they vary vastly from religion to religion. Those who worship rocks, trees, rivers, the planets etc. are foolish since these things cannot meet the needs of the human condition. There has to be a supreme being that is profoundly greater than us, how else can our prayers be answered? There has to be one reliable source of truth that has lasted throughout thousands of years. Johnny-come-lately religions that try and change the age tested reliability of the truth are immediately suspect. It is also critical to look at secular history and see if they corroborate the information given in the religion's book or books. Another huge source is archaeology. Does the archaeological evidence support the claims made in the book or books? A huge number of religions are disqualified at this point alone. A final and critical test is whether or not this religion's 'truth' can be openly examined and questioned with logical and reasonable answers forthcoming. If a religion has secretive things that cannot be seen by all, then this is evidence that it cannot stand the scrutiny of examination so it is kept under lock and key. I would want nothing to do with a religion that has secrets that only the "insiders" have access to. I want to know what I am getting into from the start.
I am pleased to report that the Bible and Christianity passes all of the above tests with flying colors. Evidence of Abraham's existence, King David, Egyptian bondage and exodus, cities, people groups, secular historians who were contemporary, events such as the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are all verifiable. Roman, Jewish and other historians openly list the very things the Bible teaches about Christianity. A stone with the inscription about Pontius Pilate exists, found in the sea side town of Caesarea and dates to the time when he was the Roman governor of Judea. These are only a few of the thousands of evidences. Just to have almost 25,000 manuscripts and pieces is also a huge testimony of the New Testament, and for them to agree is awesome. The Dead Sea Scrolls added much evidence to what already existed. A complete scroll of the book of Isaiah, Old Testament, predated our oldest copy by 1,000 years with only minuscule differences, none of which affected the content of the message. These are all available for your personal examination.
Well, no matter how much solid evidence is available, there are still those who will not even attempt to refute the actual evidence but try and slander the messenger. This shows that they don't have a leg to stand on. Does all this matter? Absolutely! We are all going to die one day and God has made man aware of what he will face on the other side. To deny that there is another side is just playing a shell game with your soul. I remember an interview with Donald Trump when a reporter asked him if he were religious. He said, "I'm not sure you could call me religious but you know, we all die and we all go somewhere and you know, I can't, for the life of me, figure out where." All people wrestle with this question. The Bible actually gives logical and rational answers. Atheists will also die and to read the dying words of famous atheists is chilling. Most of them go nuts, begging their colleagues to get someone into the room who can tell them how to meet God. Reality comes on the death bed. Don't wait that long. I write for one reason, that all people may know the truth and become the children of God through His Son Jesus Christ as I have. I love all human beings no matter who they are and have traveled the world telling anyone who will listen how to know Him personally. It is not about making money, I pay my own way so as not to be a burden on the people, but spreading the greatest news I have ever heard. Remember, Christmas celebrates the promised birth of the Savior of the whole world.
Merry Christmas and do the research. It will blow your mind!
Ikester