(Celebrating the Glory of Easter)
The Good News of the Gospel is for all will trust Christ today!
By Ed Enochs,
The Evangelical Debate Society
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep"
1 Corinthians 15:3-6
"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."
John 11:25-27
Jesus Christ is alive! He is the Son of God who died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose again from the dead! The Good News is that we can have eternal life if we acknowledge we have sinned by breaking God's Holy Commandments, repent of our sins and place our faith in Jesus Christ by calling upon the name of the Lord. This is the good news of Almighty God, that men and women can be saved from hell and have access to God the Father and the glory of eternal life through personal faith in Jesus Christ. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ today? Have you repented of your sins today?
Throughout the years, as I have actively shared my faith on various University and College campuses across the United States and I have often been asked by students and college professors why it is I believe in the exclusivity of the Christian Faith over all other religions and ideological truth claims.
For the public record, I am an Evangelical Christian and have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ since 1986, when as a teenager, I came to saving faith in Christ after reading books on Apologetics by Josh McDowell and CS Lewis.
Over the last two decades, I have pondered greatly and studied much on the question of whether or not Christianity is true. In the inner most recesses of my mind and heart I have greatly probed the depths of my conscience and heart and have attempted to introspectively analyze why it is that I believe in Jesus Christ.
I have asked myself if there were external determining sociological and psychological reasons why I became a Christian and not a member of another religion such as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Mormonism or Jehovah’s Witnesses. Upon carefully thinking through the evidence, I can honestly say that I became a Christian based solely on the fact that I have looked at the evidence for Christianity and have found the historic Christian faith to be true.
After studying apologetics and theology for literally thousands of hours over the last twenty years, my faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth is stronger than ever before and I believe in every tenet of the historic Christian faith with absolute full and unwavering conviction. I believe in the historic doctrine of the Trinity, that in the one true and living God exists three distinct persons who share the same substance and essence of being, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity of Almighty God, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, transcendent, indivisible, immutable, incomprehensible and unfathomably majestic and perfect in every conceivable respect.
I believe in and affirm every doctrinal tenet espoused in the Historic Christian Creeds. I believe in Jesus Christ, that He is God the Son, the Second person of the divine Trinity. I believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man as the historic Christian doctrine of the hypostatic union doctrine asserted at the Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon held in 451 AD. I believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a perfect and sinless life, healed the sick, raised the dead, performed amazing miracles, died on the cross for the sins of the world, rose again from the dead and ascended gloriously to heaven. I believe the Bible alone is the inspired, inerrant, infallible, and exclusively authoritative Word of God. I believe that we obtain justification before Almighty God exclusively on the basis of God’s free and unmerited gift of grace alone through our faith in Jesus Christ alone.
I believe that Christianity alone is true, all other religious views and non-Christian ideologies and philosophical systems to be false, erroneous, damnable and misleading.
I believe Christianity is true because of the impossibility of the contrary. That is, I believe the historic Christian faith and the entire Biblical theistic worldview is postulates must be presupposed and pre-asserted as the precondition and foundational basis of all cognitive and coherent rationality. For without Christ and the Bible there can be found no absolute standard of ethical morality, no conceivable standard of reality itself, no absolute standard of religious and ideological belief, no absolute standard of law and legal jurisprudence and no standard for anything at all.
Almighty God has spoken and revealed the glorious knowledge of Himself through His Word. He has established the veracity of His existence and truthfully differentiated Himself from all other rival religious and ideological truth claims via certain invincible evidences found in the inspired Holy Scriptures such as fulfilled prophecies and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
All non-Christian religions and truth claims will break down and prove to be refutable, internally incoherent, inconsistent, self-contradictory and self-defeating. Christianity on the other hand, has hundreds of Biblical prophecies and the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Christianity is true because Jesus Christ is and His infallible Word is true. Christ demonstrated to all that He is indeed the Son of God and Savior of the world by fulfilling over 300 specific prophecies and by ultimately rising again from the dead after being crucified on a Roman Cross and being laid bloody and broken in a borrowed Tomb.
The good news is that Jesus Christ and His cross is true. Jesus Christ is the only hope and only avenue to eternal life. Mankind can now escape the coming judgement of God by repenting of their sins and believing in Jesus Christ who is the Son of God who died on the cross and rose again from the dead. Have you repented of your sins and placed your faith in Jesus Christ. Do so today and you receive eternal life. Reject Jesus and suffer the eternal wrath of Almighty God which awaits all unblievers who reject Christ. However, the good news is that you can have eternal life through faith in Christ if you would only repent and trust Him today.
Verses for us to consider this Easter
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. "(John 3:16)
"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31).
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 4:12).
"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).
"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9)
"For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).
Friday, March 31, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Romans Bible Study Notes
Romans 1:18-21 (English Standard Version)
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Greek New Testament
18αποκαλυπτεται γαρ οργη θεου απ ουρανου επι πασαν ασεβειαν και αδικιαν ανθρωπων των την αληθειαν εν αδικια κατεχοντων 19διοτι το γνωστον του θεου φανερον εστιν εν αυτοις ο θεος γαρ αυτοις εφανερωσεν 20τα γαρ αορατα αυτου απο κτισεως κοσμου τοις ποιημασιν νοουμενα καθοραται η τε αιδιος αυτου δυναμις και θειοτης εις το ειναι αυτους αναπολογητους 21διοτι γνοντες τον θεον ουχ ως θεον εδοξασαν η ηυχαριστησαν αλλ εματαιωθησαν εν τοις διαλογισμοις αυτων και εσκοτισθη η ασυνετος αυτων καρδια
Key Biblical Words and Phrases Found in the text of Romans 1:18-21
1. Wrath (Orge) anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath, (Romans 1:18, 2:5, 2:8, 4:5, 5:9, 9:22, 12:19, 13:4, 13:5)
2. revealed (Apokalupto) reveal (Romans 1:17, 18, 8:18)
3. ungodliness (Asebeia) want of reverence towards God, impiety, ungodliness (Romans 1:18, 11:26)
4. unrighteousness (adikia) iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong (Romans 1:18, 1:29, 2:8, 6:13, 9:14)
5. suppress (katecho) have, hold, hold fast, keep, make, misc, possess, stay, take (Romans 1:18, 7:6)
6. truth (Aletheia) (Romans 1:18, 1:25, 2:2, 2:8).
7. invisible attributes (aoratos) invisible, invisible things, (Romans 1:20, Colossians 1:15, 1:16, 1 Timothy 1:17, Heb. 11:27).
8. eternal/ power (Aidios) eternal, everlasting (Romans 1:20, Jude 1:6). Power-dunamis, might, strength, virtue, (Romans 1:4, 1:16, 1:20, 8:38, 9:17, 15:13)
9. divine nature ((Theiotes), divinity, godhead, divine nature) (Romans 1:20).
10. darkened (Skotizo) darkened, (Romans 1:21, 11:10).
Revelation This means the disclosure of something that was unknown. There are two types of revelation: natural and special.
Natural revelation is that which is revealed about God through what we can see in creation (Rom. 1:20 ). Through creation we may learn that there is a God, that He is in control, that He has an order, and that He is concerned for our welfare. However, through natural revelation, we are not able to discover the plan of salvation. That comes from special revelation.
Special revelation is that which is given to us through Prophets, the Bible, and even visions and dreams (Num. 12:6-8). The ultimate in revelation is the incarnation of Jesus because He came to reveal the Father to us (Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22; Heb. 1:1-3) and to communicate to us the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4 by which comes salvation.
Key Verses on General Revelation
Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line[a] has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.
Romans 2:12-16
12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
Key Verses on Special Revelation
“So then, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ…” See (Romans 10:13-17)
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God… (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
“Sanctify them by your Word, Your Word is the Truth (John 17:17) (Also see: John 14:6. 8:26, 8:58, Acts 4:12, 2 Peter 1:18-21).
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Greek New Testament
18αποκαλυπτεται γαρ οργη θεου απ ουρανου επι πασαν ασεβειαν και αδικιαν ανθρωπων των την αληθειαν εν αδικια κατεχοντων 19διοτι το γνωστον του θεου φανερον εστιν εν αυτοις ο θεος γαρ αυτοις εφανερωσεν 20τα γαρ αορατα αυτου απο κτισεως κοσμου τοις ποιημασιν νοουμενα καθοραται η τε αιδιος αυτου δυναμις και θειοτης εις το ειναι αυτους αναπολογητους 21διοτι γνοντες τον θεον ουχ ως θεον εδοξασαν η ηυχαριστησαν αλλ εματαιωθησαν εν τοις διαλογισμοις αυτων και εσκοτισθη η ασυνετος αυτων καρδια
Key Biblical Words and Phrases Found in the text of Romans 1:18-21
1. Wrath (Orge) anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath, (Romans 1:18, 2:5, 2:8, 4:5, 5:9, 9:22, 12:19, 13:4, 13:5)
2. revealed (Apokalupto) reveal (Romans 1:17, 18, 8:18)
3. ungodliness (Asebeia) want of reverence towards God, impiety, ungodliness (Romans 1:18, 11:26)
4. unrighteousness (adikia) iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong (Romans 1:18, 1:29, 2:8, 6:13, 9:14)
5. suppress (katecho) have, hold, hold fast, keep, make, misc, possess, stay, take (Romans 1:18, 7:6)
6. truth (Aletheia) (Romans 1:18, 1:25, 2:2, 2:8).
7. invisible attributes (aoratos) invisible, invisible things, (Romans 1:20, Colossians 1:15, 1:16, 1 Timothy 1:17, Heb. 11:27).
8. eternal/ power (Aidios) eternal, everlasting (Romans 1:20, Jude 1:6). Power-dunamis, might, strength, virtue, (Romans 1:4, 1:16, 1:20, 8:38, 9:17, 15:13)
9. divine nature ((Theiotes), divinity, godhead, divine nature) (Romans 1:20).
10. darkened (Skotizo) darkened, (Romans 1:21, 11:10).
Revelation This means the disclosure of something that was unknown. There are two types of revelation: natural and special.
Natural revelation is that which is revealed about God through what we can see in creation (Rom. 1:20 ). Through creation we may learn that there is a God, that He is in control, that He has an order, and that He is concerned for our welfare. However, through natural revelation, we are not able to discover the plan of salvation. That comes from special revelation.
Special revelation is that which is given to us through Prophets, the Bible, and even visions and dreams (Num. 12:6-8). The ultimate in revelation is the incarnation of Jesus because He came to reveal the Father to us (Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22; Heb. 1:1-3) and to communicate to us the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4 by which comes salvation.
Key Verses on General Revelation
Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line[a] has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.
Romans 2:12-16
12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
Key Verses on Special Revelation
“So then, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ…” See (Romans 10:13-17)
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God… (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
“Sanctify them by your Word, Your Word is the Truth (John 17:17) (Also see: John 14:6. 8:26, 8:58, Acts 4:12, 2 Peter 1:18-21).
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
New Satellite Evidence for Noah's Ark
"And on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to recede until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains became visible. "
(Genesis 8:4-5)
The question of whether or not Noah's Ark actually rests today on the Mountains of Ararat in Turkey has long amazed Biblical scholars, archaeologists and those interested in defending the historical accounts recorded in the Bible.
1829 Dr. Freidrich Parrott, who had made an ascent of Greater Ararat, wrote in his Journey to Ararat that "all the Armenians are firmly persuaded that Noah's Ark remains to this very day on the top of Ararat, and that, in order to preservation no human being is allowed to approach it."
In 1876 James Bryce, historian, statesman, diplomat, explorer, and Professor of Civil Law at Oxford, climbed above the tree line and found a slab of hand-hewn timber, four feet long and five inches thick, which he identified as being from the Ark.
In 1883 the British Prophetic Messenger and others reported that Turkish commissioners investigating avalanches had seen the Ark.
In the early 1970's, noted Evangelical apologist and scholar John Warwick Montgomery visited the mountain range of Ararat and recorded what he says is insurmountable evidence that Noah's Ark is physically on Mount Ararat today. Montgomery's documentation for Noah's Ark can be read in his amazing book entitled,
The Quest for Noah's Ark, Bethany Fellowship, 1972, 2nd edition, Pyramid, 1974.
Recently, new satellite evidence for Noah's Ark has been released indicating that there is a rather large structural "anomaly" resting on Mount Ararat today. Could this really be the Noah's Ark mentioned in Genesis 8 written some 4,000 years ago? You decide, the evidence seems to point to the fact that the Ark still rests on Ararat today.
For the compelling new satellite evidence, please click on to CNN's link below and decide for yourself.
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/03/13/satellite.noahs.ark/index.html
(Genesis 8:4-5)
The question of whether or not Noah's Ark actually rests today on the Mountains of Ararat in Turkey has long amazed Biblical scholars, archaeologists and those interested in defending the historical accounts recorded in the Bible.
1829 Dr. Freidrich Parrott, who had made an ascent of Greater Ararat, wrote in his Journey to Ararat that "all the Armenians are firmly persuaded that Noah's Ark remains to this very day on the top of Ararat, and that, in order to preservation no human being is allowed to approach it."
In 1876 James Bryce, historian, statesman, diplomat, explorer, and Professor of Civil Law at Oxford, climbed above the tree line and found a slab of hand-hewn timber, four feet long and five inches thick, which he identified as being from the Ark.
In 1883 the British Prophetic Messenger and others reported that Turkish commissioners investigating avalanches had seen the Ark.
In the early 1970's, noted Evangelical apologist and scholar John Warwick Montgomery visited the mountain range of Ararat and recorded what he says is insurmountable evidence that Noah's Ark is physically on Mount Ararat today. Montgomery's documentation for Noah's Ark can be read in his amazing book entitled,
The Quest for Noah's Ark, Bethany Fellowship, 1972, 2nd edition, Pyramid, 1974.
Recently, new satellite evidence for Noah's Ark has been released indicating that there is a rather large structural "anomaly" resting on Mount Ararat today. Could this really be the Noah's Ark mentioned in Genesis 8 written some 4,000 years ago? You decide, the evidence seems to point to the fact that the Ark still rests on Ararat today.
For the compelling new satellite evidence, please click on to CNN's link below and decide for yourself.
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/03/13/satellite.noahs.ark/index.html
Monday, March 13, 2006
Why I Founded the Evangelical Debate Society
Biblical Apologetics for a Postmodern Age
Why I Founded the Evangelical Debate Society
by Lee Edward Enochs
"That in all things, Jesus Christ might have the preeminence."
(Colossians 1:18b)
Apologetics, the art and science of giving a coherent and reasoned defense for the Christian faith, is a Biblical mandate that has consumed my life for two decades. Since first hearing the evidence for Biblical Christianity from an Evangelical Christian medical student on the University of Michigan campus in the Spring of 1986, I have been consumed with a passion to know the reasons why Christianity is true and with the Biblical command to "give everyone an answer for the hope that lies within me" (1 Peter 3:15).
Since I was a teenager, two of the essential questions that has driven my mind and conscience are the following, "Is Christianity true?" and "What is the best defense of the Christian faith?"
From the time I was a young boy holed up in in the labyrinth of dusty books in the University of Michigan undergraduate library, where I often slept with books as my pillow, I have spent literally thousands upon thousands of hours consumed with these two questions attempting to determine the best lines of argumentation that demonstrate the veracity of the Christian faith and world-view.
We live in an era of Western Civilization that is awash is subjectivity and relativism, thus attempting to determine the objective truth and evidence for Christianity seems odd and irrelevant to most non-Christians today. Even in the Evangelical Church throughout America, it has been my personal experience, after ministering and studying in some of Evangelicalism's largest churches and institutions of higher learning, that very few Evangelical Christians can give reasons why they believe the Christian faith is true or can defend the essential truths that make up the body of doctrine of Historic Evangelical Christianity.
Many of the Evangelical apologetics ministries now functioning throughout the North American hemisphere are not dedicated to giving Biblical and exegetical answers and evidences for that demonstrate the truthfulness of the Christian faith, rather they are committed to giving Aristotelian and Thomistic based philosophical lines of argumentation to defend the faith instead of offering compelling Scriptural/exegetical evidences that substantiate the Christian
This dearth and great void of Biblical Apologetics that help equip Evangelicals with Scriptural reasons for the historic Protestant and Evangelical Christian faith is why I started the new ministry called the Evangelical Debate Society, to equip and educate the Evangelical Christian faith with answers that demonstrate why Christianity is true and to attempt to give the non- Evangelical Christian reasons why Christianity is true.
In organizing and participating in debates where the claims of Evangelical Christianity are discussed and scrutinized in a careful and analytical manner, I have found that this stimulates a tremendous interest in Christians to learn how to defend the faith and gives impetus and motivation for unbelievers in Evangelical Christianity to look into the claims of the Bible and the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I see the aims of Biblical Evangelical Apologetics as being four fold:
1) To give Biblical reasons why Evangelical Christianity is true.
2) To refute non-Evangelical Christian arguments against Biblical Evangelicalism.
3) To equip the Christian Church for the work of the ministry.
4) To evangelize the world for the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
This is why I started the Evangelical Debate Society, to give a Biblical defense of Historic Evangelical Christianity, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:10-16) and to fulfill Christ's great commission to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16-15, Luke 24:44, John 20:21, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:9-17, 1 Corinthians 9:13-16 and 2 Timothy 4:1-5).
Two books that articulates my approach to Apologetics called, Presuppostionalism were written by the late Dr. Greg L. Bahnsen (B.A. Philosophy, Westmont College, M.Div and Th.M, Westminster Theological Seminary and Ph.D. Philosophy, University of Southern California) are entitled as follows;
1.Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith:
http://www.monergismbooks.com/alwaysready5281.html
2. Van Til's Apologetic: Readings and Analysis:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1017511&item_no=20991
"But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31).
Jesus Christ is Lord, He died and rose again from the dead! (Romans 10:9-10).
Most Sincerely in Jesus Christ,
Lee Edward "Ed" Enochs
Chairman,
The Evangelical Debate Society
Why I Founded the Evangelical Debate Society
by Lee Edward Enochs
"That in all things, Jesus Christ might have the preeminence."
(Colossians 1:18b)
Apologetics, the art and science of giving a coherent and reasoned defense for the Christian faith, is a Biblical mandate that has consumed my life for two decades. Since first hearing the evidence for Biblical Christianity from an Evangelical Christian medical student on the University of Michigan campus in the Spring of 1986, I have been consumed with a passion to know the reasons why Christianity is true and with the Biblical command to "give everyone an answer for the hope that lies within me" (1 Peter 3:15).
Since I was a teenager, two of the essential questions that has driven my mind and conscience are the following, "Is Christianity true?" and "What is the best defense of the Christian faith?"
From the time I was a young boy holed up in in the labyrinth of dusty books in the University of Michigan undergraduate library, where I often slept with books as my pillow, I have spent literally thousands upon thousands of hours consumed with these two questions attempting to determine the best lines of argumentation that demonstrate the veracity of the Christian faith and world-view.
We live in an era of Western Civilization that is awash is subjectivity and relativism, thus attempting to determine the objective truth and evidence for Christianity seems odd and irrelevant to most non-Christians today. Even in the Evangelical Church throughout America, it has been my personal experience, after ministering and studying in some of Evangelicalism's largest churches and institutions of higher learning, that very few Evangelical Christians can give reasons why they believe the Christian faith is true or can defend the essential truths that make up the body of doctrine of Historic Evangelical Christianity.
Many of the Evangelical apologetics ministries now functioning throughout the North American hemisphere are not dedicated to giving Biblical and exegetical answers and evidences for that demonstrate the truthfulness of the Christian faith, rather they are committed to giving Aristotelian and Thomistic based philosophical lines of argumentation to defend the faith instead of offering compelling Scriptural/exegetical evidences that substantiate the Christian
This dearth and great void of Biblical Apologetics that help equip Evangelicals with Scriptural reasons for the historic Protestant and Evangelical Christian faith is why I started the new ministry called the Evangelical Debate Society, to equip and educate the Evangelical Christian faith with answers that demonstrate why Christianity is true and to attempt to give the non- Evangelical Christian reasons why Christianity is true.
In organizing and participating in debates where the claims of Evangelical Christianity are discussed and scrutinized in a careful and analytical manner, I have found that this stimulates a tremendous interest in Christians to learn how to defend the faith and gives impetus and motivation for unbelievers in Evangelical Christianity to look into the claims of the Bible and the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I see the aims of Biblical Evangelical Apologetics as being four fold:
1) To give Biblical reasons why Evangelical Christianity is true.
2) To refute non-Evangelical Christian arguments against Biblical Evangelicalism.
3) To equip the Christian Church for the work of the ministry.
4) To evangelize the world for the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
This is why I started the Evangelical Debate Society, to give a Biblical defense of Historic Evangelical Christianity, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:10-16) and to fulfill Christ's great commission to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16-15, Luke 24:44, John 20:21, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:9-17, 1 Corinthians 9:13-16 and 2 Timothy 4:1-5).
Two books that articulates my approach to Apologetics called, Presuppostionalism were written by the late Dr. Greg L. Bahnsen (B.A. Philosophy, Westmont College, M.Div and Th.M, Westminster Theological Seminary and Ph.D. Philosophy, University of Southern California) are entitled as follows;
1.Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith:
http://www.monergismbooks.com/alwaysready5281.html
2. Van Til's Apologetic: Readings and Analysis:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1017511&item_no=20991
"But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31).
Jesus Christ is Lord, He died and rose again from the dead! (Romans 10:9-10).
Most Sincerely in Jesus Christ,
Lee Edward "Ed" Enochs
Chairman,
The Evangelical Debate Society
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Thoughts on Islam
John 5:23
Dear Friend,
Thank you very much for your correspondence with us concerning the subject of Islam. As Evangelical Christians with a burden to see our neighbors come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, we have studied the essential teachings of the Islamic religion and find Islam to be contradictory to historic Evangelicalism on many crucial points.
Islam is a distinctly non-Christian religion that denies all the essential teachings of the historic Christian faith including the Trinity, the Virgin Birth of Christ, the Deity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, the subsitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ and every other fundamental tenet of true Christianity. For these reasons we cannot advocate Islam as a viable _expression of true religious observance.
The religion known throughout the world as Islam was founded by a Middle Eastern man named Muhammad (570-632) and is now the religious belief system of over 1.1 billion people throughout the world. Today, Islam is practiced on every continent and country on Earth. The term Islam is Arabic word that means surrender or submission. The term for God in Islam is called Allah (pronounced ah LAH), which means The God. In Islam, a person who submits and is obedient to the will of Allah is called a Muslim. The Islamic Prophet Muhammad was born in A.D. 570 in the Arabic City of Mecca. Adherents of Islam believe that around the year 610 Muhammad began to receive revelations from Allah that were transmitted by the angel Gabriel over a 22-year period in the cities of Mecca and Medina now located in present day Saudi Arabia. Medina is the city where the tomb of Muhammad is currently located. The holy book of Islam is called the Quran (sometimes spelled Koran) and is greatly revered by Muslims worldwide. Muslims also submit to the teachings found in the Hadith, the Sunna, or collection of examples of the Prophet Muhammad’s sayings and acts.
The central ideological theme of Islam centers on their conception of Tawhid, or the absolute Unitarian monotheistic unity of Allah. Muslims deny that there are three distinct persons who share the same essence in the godhead as the historic doctrine of the Trinity affirms and argue for the absolute oneness of their conception of God. Muslims believe that Allah is the name of the one true God and that Allah is the supreme and sovereign Lord of the entire universe, who demands absolute submission and allegiance of humanity. Muslims believe that Allah is the absolute judge and lawgiver in life and death and that all humanity must bow in humble submission to Allah or suffer the consequences of eternal judgement. Muslims deny that Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the eternal Godhead and deny that the Holy Spirit is a distinct person and the third person of the Trinity. Muslims deny that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of humanity and also deny that the Bible is God’s uniquely inspired revelation, rather, adherent of Islam believe the Bible is a corrupted document and that the Quran is the most perfect revelatory communication from Allah.
In Islamic doctrine, Allah has provided Prophets to humanity for guidance and direction and these Prophets call people to submit to the will of Allah and to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as found in the Quran and Hadith. Unlike Evangelical Christianity, which teaches that the Bible alone is the Word of God and final authority, Islam has two sources of Authority, the Quran and the Sunna, the body of traditions that preserves the words and conduct of Muhammad. Muslim scholars use there sources to understand the principles of the Sharia (shah REE ah), an Arabic term that essentially means, the way that leads to God.
Muslims recognize four main sources of interpreting the Sharia and attempt to apply it to daily life;
1) The Quran
2) The Sunna
3) Extending reasoning of previous laws to new situations
4) The views of Muslim scholars and jurists.
Muslims believe that Allah has called men to be prophets throughout human history starting with Adam and ending with Muhammad. The Quran mentions 25 prophets by name, Muhammad being the most significant of these divine messengers since he was given the Quran via the process of mechanical dictation through divine revelation. Muslims vehemently deny that Jesus Christ is the unique Son of Almighty God, but delegate Jesus to be amongst the Prophets such as Adam, Abraham, Ishmael, Moses and Muhammad.
There are three main historical divisions in Islam. The vast majority of Muslims are Sunni who follow the traditional and widely held interpretation of Islam. Then there are the Shiites, who believe that Ali, the cousin and son in law of Muhammad and his descendant should be the leaders of the Islamic faith. And finally, the smallest division of Islam are called the Kharijites, or secessionists that broke away from traditional Shiite practice in 657.
The Quran and Hadith call all Muslims to adhere to the Five Pillars of Islam, which are as follows:
1. Shahada-The foundational pillar of the entire Islamic faith and consists of the act of bearing witness that there is “no God but Allah” and that “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”
2. Prayer- Muslims are required to pray five times a day-just before dawn, at midday, in the midafternoon, just before sunset, and at night.
3. Almsgiving- Muslims are required to assist the poor in the form of a tax on their monetary income called a Zakat, given once a year.
4. Fasting- All Muslims are required to fast in the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is lunar, so each month follows the phases of the moon and lasts 29 or 30 days. According to the Quran, Muslims are to fast from food, drinking any beverages, smoking and engaging in any sexual activity during the daylight hours. At night they may resume eating, drinking and other normative activities.
5. Pilgrimage-All Muslims, according to the Quran all Muslims must make a Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
Islam is a distinctly non-Christian religion, opposed to the historic Christian faith and explicitly denies all the fundamental teachings of Christianity and because of this we cannot advocate Islam and its teachings in anyway. We believe in the Doctrine of the Trinity and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God whom God the Father sent to die on the cross for the sins of the World and rise again from the dead.
We would also like to encourage all non-Christians, that might be reading this, to acknowledge that they have broken God’s holy commandments, to repent of their sins and come to faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead to give eternal life to all that sincerely repent of their sins and place their faith in Him (Luke 13:1-5, John 3:16, 3:36, 14:6, Acts 2:38, Acts 16:31, Acts 17:30, Romans 3:10-12, 20-23, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-10 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-10).
If we can further assist you in understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of Biblical Evangelical Christianity, please contact us here.
Evangelical Books on the Subject of Islam
Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross by Norman Geisler and Abdul Saleeb
Islamic Invasion by Robert Morey
The Islam Debate, by Josh McDowell with John Gilchrist,
Evangelical Ministries Reaching Out to Muslims
Answering Islam: http://answering-islam.org.uk/
Alpha and Omega Ministries http://www.aomin.org/
Christian Research Institute: http://www.aomin.org/
Ravi Zacharias Ministries: http://www.rzim.org/
Dear Friend,
Thank you very much for your correspondence with us concerning the subject of Islam. As Evangelical Christians with a burden to see our neighbors come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, we have studied the essential teachings of the Islamic religion and find Islam to be contradictory to historic Evangelicalism on many crucial points.
Islam is a distinctly non-Christian religion that denies all the essential teachings of the historic Christian faith including the Trinity, the Virgin Birth of Christ, the Deity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, the subsitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ and every other fundamental tenet of true Christianity. For these reasons we cannot advocate Islam as a viable _expression of true religious observance.
The religion known throughout the world as Islam was founded by a Middle Eastern man named Muhammad (570-632) and is now the religious belief system of over 1.1 billion people throughout the world. Today, Islam is practiced on every continent and country on Earth. The term Islam is Arabic word that means surrender or submission. The term for God in Islam is called Allah (pronounced ah LAH), which means The God. In Islam, a person who submits and is obedient to the will of Allah is called a Muslim. The Islamic Prophet Muhammad was born in A.D. 570 in the Arabic City of Mecca. Adherents of Islam believe that around the year 610 Muhammad began to receive revelations from Allah that were transmitted by the angel Gabriel over a 22-year period in the cities of Mecca and Medina now located in present day Saudi Arabia. Medina is the city where the tomb of Muhammad is currently located. The holy book of Islam is called the Quran (sometimes spelled Koran) and is greatly revered by Muslims worldwide. Muslims also submit to the teachings found in the Hadith, the Sunna, or collection of examples of the Prophet Muhammad’s sayings and acts.
The central ideological theme of Islam centers on their conception of Tawhid, or the absolute Unitarian monotheistic unity of Allah. Muslims deny that there are three distinct persons who share the same essence in the godhead as the historic doctrine of the Trinity affirms and argue for the absolute oneness of their conception of God. Muslims believe that Allah is the name of the one true God and that Allah is the supreme and sovereign Lord of the entire universe, who demands absolute submission and allegiance of humanity. Muslims believe that Allah is the absolute judge and lawgiver in life and death and that all humanity must bow in humble submission to Allah or suffer the consequences of eternal judgement. Muslims deny that Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the eternal Godhead and deny that the Holy Spirit is a distinct person and the third person of the Trinity. Muslims deny that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of humanity and also deny that the Bible is God’s uniquely inspired revelation, rather, adherent of Islam believe the Bible is a corrupted document and that the Quran is the most perfect revelatory communication from Allah.
In Islamic doctrine, Allah has provided Prophets to humanity for guidance and direction and these Prophets call people to submit to the will of Allah and to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as found in the Quran and Hadith. Unlike Evangelical Christianity, which teaches that the Bible alone is the Word of God and final authority, Islam has two sources of Authority, the Quran and the Sunna, the body of traditions that preserves the words and conduct of Muhammad. Muslim scholars use there sources to understand the principles of the Sharia (shah REE ah), an Arabic term that essentially means, the way that leads to God.
Muslims recognize four main sources of interpreting the Sharia and attempt to apply it to daily life;
1) The Quran
2) The Sunna
3) Extending reasoning of previous laws to new situations
4) The views of Muslim scholars and jurists.
Muslims believe that Allah has called men to be prophets throughout human history starting with Adam and ending with Muhammad. The Quran mentions 25 prophets by name, Muhammad being the most significant of these divine messengers since he was given the Quran via the process of mechanical dictation through divine revelation. Muslims vehemently deny that Jesus Christ is the unique Son of Almighty God, but delegate Jesus to be amongst the Prophets such as Adam, Abraham, Ishmael, Moses and Muhammad.
There are three main historical divisions in Islam. The vast majority of Muslims are Sunni who follow the traditional and widely held interpretation of Islam. Then there are the Shiites, who believe that Ali, the cousin and son in law of Muhammad and his descendant should be the leaders of the Islamic faith. And finally, the smallest division of Islam are called the Kharijites, or secessionists that broke away from traditional Shiite practice in 657.
The Quran and Hadith call all Muslims to adhere to the Five Pillars of Islam, which are as follows:
1. Shahada-The foundational pillar of the entire Islamic faith and consists of the act of bearing witness that there is “no God but Allah” and that “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”
2. Prayer- Muslims are required to pray five times a day-just before dawn, at midday, in the midafternoon, just before sunset, and at night.
3. Almsgiving- Muslims are required to assist the poor in the form of a tax on their monetary income called a Zakat, given once a year.
4. Fasting- All Muslims are required to fast in the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is lunar, so each month follows the phases of the moon and lasts 29 or 30 days. According to the Quran, Muslims are to fast from food, drinking any beverages, smoking and engaging in any sexual activity during the daylight hours. At night they may resume eating, drinking and other normative activities.
5. Pilgrimage-All Muslims, according to the Quran all Muslims must make a Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
Islam is a distinctly non-Christian religion, opposed to the historic Christian faith and explicitly denies all the fundamental teachings of Christianity and because of this we cannot advocate Islam and its teachings in anyway. We believe in the Doctrine of the Trinity and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God whom God the Father sent to die on the cross for the sins of the World and rise again from the dead.
We would also like to encourage all non-Christians, that might be reading this, to acknowledge that they have broken God’s holy commandments, to repent of their sins and come to faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead to give eternal life to all that sincerely repent of their sins and place their faith in Him (Luke 13:1-5, John 3:16, 3:36, 14:6, Acts 2:38, Acts 16:31, Acts 17:30, Romans 3:10-12, 20-23, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-10 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-10).
If we can further assist you in understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of Biblical Evangelical Christianity, please contact us here.
Evangelical Books on the Subject of Islam
Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross by Norman Geisler and Abdul Saleeb
Islamic Invasion by Robert Morey
The Islam Debate, by Josh McDowell with John Gilchrist,
Evangelical Ministries Reaching Out to Muslims
Answering Islam: http://answering-islam.org.uk/
Alpha and Omega Ministries http://www.aomin.org/
Christian Research Institute: http://www.aomin.org/
Ravi Zacharias Ministries: http://www.rzim.org/
Why I am Not a Jehovah's Witness
John 1:1-3
John 1:18
Colossians 1:15-17
The “Jehovah’s Witnesses” or the Watchtower Tract Society whose headquarters are located in Brooklyn New York. As an Evangelical Christian ministry dedicated to the teachings of the Bible and historic Christianity, we believe that there are innumerable doctrinal errors taught by the Jehovah’s Witnesses that are entirely incompatible with true Christianity.
While we sincerely love all our Jehovah’s Witnesses friends, we completely reject in every detail the message communicated by the Jehovah’s Witnesses outright and in total. We believe the Jehovah’s Witnesses are completely unbiblical and are deceiving millions of people worldwide and greatly urge everyone to avoid the teachings and practices of the Jehovah’s Witnesses at all costs.
The Brooklyn New York based ecclesiastical organization now known as the “Jehovah’s Witnesses” was founded by a native of Allegheny Pennsylvania named Charles Taze Russell.
Charles Taze Russell taught many heretical things concerning the Deity of Christ, the Trinity and how to obtain eternal life. The present day “Jehovah’s Witnesses” teach many heretical things as well. The following are some of the most serious false teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses that should everyone to avoid joining this cult as all costs.
1. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Biblical Doctrine of the Trinity.
2. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Biblical Doctrine of the Deity of Christ.
3. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Deity and personhood of the Holy Spirit.
4. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the eternal preexistence of Jesus Christ.
5. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny that justification is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that salvation is earned by works.
6. The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach the heretical doctrine that Jesus Christ did not rise again from the dead in the same physical body He was crucified in, rather they teach that Jesus Christ rose again as a glorified “spirit creature”.
7. The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach the heretical doctrine of annihilationism, that non-Jehovah’s Witnesses will simply cease to exist after judgement and will not spend eternity in conscious eternal torment in the Lake of Fire, despite what Revelation 20:1-15 clearly teaches.
8. The Jehovah’s Witnesses have their own spurious, doctrinally biased and mistranslated version of the Bible called the New World Translation, that wrongly and systematically translates many key verses on the Deity of Christ and the Trinity (Please see their rendering of John 1:1 and Colossians 1:16).
However, despite the false teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Bible clearly and unambiguously teaches that Jesus Christ is God and that the Doctrine of the Trinity is the truth (Please read: Isaiah 9:6-7, Matthew 1:23, 28:19-20, John 1:1-14, 1:18, 5:23, 8:58, 14:1-10, 20:28, Acts 5:1-8, 20:28, Romans 9:5, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Philippians 2:1-11,Colossians 1:15-17, 2:8-9, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:1-8, 2 Peter 1:1, 1 John 5:20, Revelation 1:8, 17-18 and 22:13).
The Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit is both God and is a person despite the false teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses on this matter (Please Read: Matthew 28:19-20, John 14:26, 15:26, 16:13, Acts 5:1-4, Acts 13:2-4, 20:23, 20:28. 1 Corinthians 12:11 and Hebrews 9:14).
Contrary to what the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach regarding salvation, the Bible clearly teaches that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone based on the authority of the Word of God alone (Please see: Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-10 and Titus 3:5-6).
Contrary to the heretical doctrines of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ had an eternal pre-existence in eternity past: (Please see: Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 5:2, John 1:1-3, John 17:5, Colossians 1:15-18 and Hebrews 1:1-8).
Despite what the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach regarding the resurrected body of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible clearly refutes the Jehovah’s Witnesses view that Christ rose again only as a “glorified spirit creature.” The Bible, instead teaches that Jesus Christ rose again from the dead in the same body in which He was crucified and that Jesus’ body was made of actual physical flesh and bones (Please read; Luke 24:40-44, John 20:19-31, and 21:13).
Despite what the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach regarding annihilationism, that the wicked will not experience a conscious and tormented eternal existence in the flaming agonies of the lake of fire, the Bible teaches the contrary and that there will be eternal torment for the non-Christian in everlasting fire. (Please read; Luke 16:23, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Matthew 3:12, 5:29,8:12, 10:28, 13:42, 50, 25:41-46, Isaiah 33:14, 66:24, Daniel 7:11, Revelation 14:10 and Revelation 20:15).
Based on these false teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, we must strongly encourage everyone to avoid the doctrines and practices of this non-Christian cult at all costs.
We would also like to encourage all non-Christians, that might be reading this, to acknowledge that they have broken God’s holy commandments, to repent of their sins and come to faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead to give eternal life to all that sincerely repent of their sins and place their faith in Him (Luke 13:1-5, John 3:16, 3:36, 14:6, Acts 2:38, Acts 16:31, Acts 17:30, Romans 3:10-12, 20-23, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-10 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-10).
If we can further assist you in understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of Biblical Evangelical Christianity, please contact us here.
Evangelical Books on Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Errors Exposed by William J. Schnell
Thirty Years a Watchtower Slave by William J. Schnell
Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses by Ron Rhodes
Why You Should Believe in the Trinity by Robert Bowman Jr.
How to Answer a Jehovah’s Witness by Robert Morey
The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin
Evangelical Ministries Reaching Jehovah’s Witnesses
Probe Ministries: http://www.probe.org/content/view/723/65/
Alpha and Omega Ministries: http://www.aomin.org/
The Christian Research Institute: http://equip.org/
Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry: http://www.carm.org/
John 1:18
Colossians 1:15-17
The “Jehovah’s Witnesses” or the Watchtower Tract Society whose headquarters are located in Brooklyn New York. As an Evangelical Christian ministry dedicated to the teachings of the Bible and historic Christianity, we believe that there are innumerable doctrinal errors taught by the Jehovah’s Witnesses that are entirely incompatible with true Christianity.
While we sincerely love all our Jehovah’s Witnesses friends, we completely reject in every detail the message communicated by the Jehovah’s Witnesses outright and in total. We believe the Jehovah’s Witnesses are completely unbiblical and are deceiving millions of people worldwide and greatly urge everyone to avoid the teachings and practices of the Jehovah’s Witnesses at all costs.
The Brooklyn New York based ecclesiastical organization now known as the “Jehovah’s Witnesses” was founded by a native of Allegheny Pennsylvania named Charles Taze Russell.
Charles Taze Russell taught many heretical things concerning the Deity of Christ, the Trinity and how to obtain eternal life. The present day “Jehovah’s Witnesses” teach many heretical things as well. The following are some of the most serious false teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses that should everyone to avoid joining this cult as all costs.
1. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Biblical Doctrine of the Trinity.
2. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Biblical Doctrine of the Deity of Christ.
3. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Deity and personhood of the Holy Spirit.
4. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the eternal preexistence of Jesus Christ.
5. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny that justification is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that salvation is earned by works.
6. The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach the heretical doctrine that Jesus Christ did not rise again from the dead in the same physical body He was crucified in, rather they teach that Jesus Christ rose again as a glorified “spirit creature”.
7. The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach the heretical doctrine of annihilationism, that non-Jehovah’s Witnesses will simply cease to exist after judgement and will not spend eternity in conscious eternal torment in the Lake of Fire, despite what Revelation 20:1-15 clearly teaches.
8. The Jehovah’s Witnesses have their own spurious, doctrinally biased and mistranslated version of the Bible called the New World Translation, that wrongly and systematically translates many key verses on the Deity of Christ and the Trinity (Please see their rendering of John 1:1 and Colossians 1:16).
However, despite the false teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Bible clearly and unambiguously teaches that Jesus Christ is God and that the Doctrine of the Trinity is the truth (Please read: Isaiah 9:6-7, Matthew 1:23, 28:19-20, John 1:1-14, 1:18, 5:23, 8:58, 14:1-10, 20:28, Acts 5:1-8, 20:28, Romans 9:5, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Philippians 2:1-11,Colossians 1:15-17, 2:8-9, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:1-8, 2 Peter 1:1, 1 John 5:20, Revelation 1:8, 17-18 and 22:13).
The Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit is both God and is a person despite the false teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses on this matter (Please Read: Matthew 28:19-20, John 14:26, 15:26, 16:13, Acts 5:1-4, Acts 13:2-4, 20:23, 20:28. 1 Corinthians 12:11 and Hebrews 9:14).
Contrary to what the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach regarding salvation, the Bible clearly teaches that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone based on the authority of the Word of God alone (Please see: Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-10 and Titus 3:5-6).
Contrary to the heretical doctrines of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ had an eternal pre-existence in eternity past: (Please see: Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 5:2, John 1:1-3, John 17:5, Colossians 1:15-18 and Hebrews 1:1-8).
Despite what the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach regarding the resurrected body of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible clearly refutes the Jehovah’s Witnesses view that Christ rose again only as a “glorified spirit creature.” The Bible, instead teaches that Jesus Christ rose again from the dead in the same body in which He was crucified and that Jesus’ body was made of actual physical flesh and bones (Please read; Luke 24:40-44, John 20:19-31, and 21:13).
Despite what the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach regarding annihilationism, that the wicked will not experience a conscious and tormented eternal existence in the flaming agonies of the lake of fire, the Bible teaches the contrary and that there will be eternal torment for the non-Christian in everlasting fire. (Please read; Luke 16:23, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Matthew 3:12, 5:29,8:12, 10:28, 13:42, 50, 25:41-46, Isaiah 33:14, 66:24, Daniel 7:11, Revelation 14:10 and Revelation 20:15).
Based on these false teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, we must strongly encourage everyone to avoid the doctrines and practices of this non-Christian cult at all costs.
We would also like to encourage all non-Christians, that might be reading this, to acknowledge that they have broken God’s holy commandments, to repent of their sins and come to faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead to give eternal life to all that sincerely repent of their sins and place their faith in Him (Luke 13:1-5, John 3:16, 3:36, 14:6, Acts 2:38, Acts 16:31, Acts 17:30, Romans 3:10-12, 20-23, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-10 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-10).
If we can further assist you in understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of Biblical Evangelical Christianity, please contact us here.
Evangelical Books on Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Errors Exposed by William J. Schnell
Thirty Years a Watchtower Slave by William J. Schnell
Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses by Ron Rhodes
Why You Should Believe in the Trinity by Robert Bowman Jr.
How to Answer a Jehovah’s Witness by Robert Morey
The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin
Evangelical Ministries Reaching Jehovah’s Witnesses
Probe Ministries: http://www.probe.org/content/view/723/65/
Alpha and Omega Ministries: http://www.aomin.org/
The Christian Research Institute: http://equip.org/
Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry: http://www.carm.org/
Philosophy Can Be Dangerous
During my studies at Biola University (1995-1998), which is presently a bastion of philosophical libertarianism and theological semi-Pelagianism, I have noticed a tendency throughout the Evangelical Philosophical Community to do shoddy Biblical exegesis on the relevant Biblical passages pertaining to the free will/sovereignty of God issue, or avoid doing Biblical exegesis at all.
I have seen some of the best Evangelical Philosophers in this nation such as the Molinaist William Lane Craig and JP Moreland simply force their previously held Aristotelian/ Arminian/libertarian presuppositional biases upon the Biblical passages such as Romans 9, Ephesians 1-2 and simply force the Bible to say what they believe should be right according to their Aristotelian paradigm instead of determining through sound Biblical exegesis what is really in the text.
One such Evangelical Scholar which does not do this is Dr. John Piper (B.A. Wheaton, M.A. Fuller, Ph.D. Munich) as evidenced by his compelling and thorough Book entitled, "The Justification of God" his exegetical treatment of Romans 9.
All to often, many Evangelicals appeal to secular philosophical systems such as Aristotelianism and do simply horrid exegesis to command what the Bible should say instead of looking at the text exegetically in it's proper historical, linguistic and grammatical context to determine what the Scripture says on its own merits.
We need to follow the example of Augustine of Hippo, who towards the end of his life published a Latin work entitled Retractiones wherein he retracted many of his previous writings that were overly influenced by his Neo-Platonism through the study of Plutonius and even some latent Manichean influenced views.
In this issue of free will and divine sovereignty, I am only concerned with what the Bible says, not what Molina, Aristotle, Plato or even Augustine or Calvin says. Just give me pure, unbridled exegesis of the Biblical texts. Like the patristic father Tertullian said, "For what accord has Athens with Jerusalem?"
I do not want to stand over the texts of Scripture as their autonomous judge and force the Scriptures to say what they do not.
Having said this, a proper study of the Book of Romans and Ephesians will most definitely demonstrate unequivocally, that God is sovereign over all things and imputes unmerited divine grace upon those who are dead in trespasses and sin due to the transgression of Adam (Romans 5:1-18 and Ephesians 1 and 2).
In other words, the Bible alone, not philosophical and theoretical speculation should be our only guide and foundation by which we can determine the mind of God on the issue of free will and divine sovereignty (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
I want to follow the injunction of the Apostle Paul who said, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit and not according to Christ, for in Him dwells the fulness of the godhead bodily and you are complete in Him" (Colossians 2:8-9).
I have seen some of the best Evangelical Philosophers in this nation such as the Molinaist William Lane Craig and JP Moreland simply force their previously held Aristotelian/ Arminian/libertarian presuppositional biases upon the Biblical passages such as Romans 9, Ephesians 1-2 and simply force the Bible to say what they believe should be right according to their Aristotelian paradigm instead of determining through sound Biblical exegesis what is really in the text.
One such Evangelical Scholar which does not do this is Dr. John Piper (B.A. Wheaton, M.A. Fuller, Ph.D. Munich) as evidenced by his compelling and thorough Book entitled, "The Justification of God" his exegetical treatment of Romans 9.
All to often, many Evangelicals appeal to secular philosophical systems such as Aristotelianism and do simply horrid exegesis to command what the Bible should say instead of looking at the text exegetically in it's proper historical, linguistic and grammatical context to determine what the Scripture says on its own merits.
We need to follow the example of Augustine of Hippo, who towards the end of his life published a Latin work entitled Retractiones wherein he retracted many of his previous writings that were overly influenced by his Neo-Platonism through the study of Plutonius and even some latent Manichean influenced views.
In this issue of free will and divine sovereignty, I am only concerned with what the Bible says, not what Molina, Aristotle, Plato or even Augustine or Calvin says. Just give me pure, unbridled exegesis of the Biblical texts. Like the patristic father Tertullian said, "For what accord has Athens with Jerusalem?"
I do not want to stand over the texts of Scripture as their autonomous judge and force the Scriptures to say what they do not.
Having said this, a proper study of the Book of Romans and Ephesians will most definitely demonstrate unequivocally, that God is sovereign over all things and imputes unmerited divine grace upon those who are dead in trespasses and sin due to the transgression of Adam (Romans 5:1-18 and Ephesians 1 and 2).
In other words, the Bible alone, not philosophical and theoretical speculation should be our only guide and foundation by which we can determine the mind of God on the issue of free will and divine sovereignty (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
I want to follow the injunction of the Apostle Paul who said, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit and not according to Christ, for in Him dwells the fulness of the godhead bodily and you are complete in Him" (Colossians 2:8-9).
Monday, March 06, 2006
In America, the Only Heresy is the Truth
The Rise of Intolerant Tolerance in American Culture
An Essay About Western Culture
By Lee Edward Enochs
Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." Pilate said to him, "What is truth?"
(John 18:37-38)
In America and Western Europe, the truth might hurt you or others might hurt you because you hold to the truth.
Postmodernism, the prevailing and predominate ideological worldview of most people residing with contemporary American and European civilization, espouses the abjectly relativistic view that traditional Western conceptions of reality, morality and propositional truth are only arbitrary sociological constructions of a bygone jingoistic ethos long since deemed passé. The militant secularist and anti-Christian purveyors of the contemporary postmodern worldview have been highly successful in indoctrinating collective American and European civilization that tolerance and acceptance of every conceivable idea and lifestyle, irrespective of how illogical and morally repugnant, must now be accepted by society at large.
The secularist agenda and politically correct ‘thought police’, (an ideological Gestapo) are now attempting to force us how to think, believe and act and have carefully and successfully conditioned us through the deviant and bankrupt public education system and entertainment industry, to accept every worldview except, Bible based Evangelical Christianity. The resultant effect of this colossal secularist hijacking of contemporary culture is that now, the only heresy in America is the truth.
Almost every conceivable deviant sexual practice is now touted by secular society as being acceptable and the postmodern forces at be, are attempting to force all citizens within the North America Hemisphere and European continent to accept deviant lifestyles such as homosexuality or run the risk of being called a Fundamentalist Obstructionist, one who holds intolerant religious and political views that impede the progress and enlightenment of society. Already, in some Western countries such as very liberal contemporary Canada and Scandinavia, punitive legal measures or being exercised against Evangelicals Christians who speak the truth against this intolerant “tolerance” that attempts to force its citizens to accept ideas and lifestyle practices that the Bible calls sinful.
Evangelicals and cultural conservatives that buck this trend of accepting societal and sexual deviancy are being marginalized and castigated as Neanderthal-like in their outlook on life. If American and European Evangelicals are not careful and fail to act and speak out against this call for postmodern tolerance of unbiblical ideas and lifestyles, we run the risk of allowing the militant Anti-Christian secularist forces to take us down a path that most certainly lead to unbridled persecution and political tyranny reminiscent of Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia and modern day Communist China, where opposition to the ideology of the State is entirely suppressed.
Evangelical Christians must call contemporary society back to the ethical standards of the Bible and with uncompromising Biblical conviction, preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the only hope for our world or run the risk of being forced into accepting the obviously self-refuting, contradictory and self-defeating ideology known as “tolerant” Postmodernism.
This relativistic view postulates that nothing in Western Culture is wrong accept the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the Bible. Make no mistakes about it folks, there is currently a massive cultural war taking place and many secularists are making the argument that there is no heresy in the world accept the truth.
Will you stand up for the truth of Jesus Christ and His Word or be forced to accept the intolerant “tolerance” of the anti-Christian secularist- postmodern agenda that is destroying America ?
Jesus Christ, the Son of Almighty God died on the cross and rose again from the dead to give men and women eternal life, will you take a stand for the Gospel of Christ in America today?
The time is now to stand up for God and preach the Gospel of Christ, the only hope in a civilization that teeters on the brink of destruction. Will you stand up for Christ and be counted faithful in your generation? The time is now, the day is today, there might be no tomorrows.
An Essay About Western Culture
By Lee Edward Enochs
Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." Pilate said to him, "What is truth?"
(John 18:37-38)
In America and Western Europe, the truth might hurt you or others might hurt you because you hold to the truth.
Postmodernism, the prevailing and predominate ideological worldview of most people residing with contemporary American and European civilization, espouses the abjectly relativistic view that traditional Western conceptions of reality, morality and propositional truth are only arbitrary sociological constructions of a bygone jingoistic ethos long since deemed passé. The militant secularist and anti-Christian purveyors of the contemporary postmodern worldview have been highly successful in indoctrinating collective American and European civilization that tolerance and acceptance of every conceivable idea and lifestyle, irrespective of how illogical and morally repugnant, must now be accepted by society at large.
The secularist agenda and politically correct ‘thought police’, (an ideological Gestapo) are now attempting to force us how to think, believe and act and have carefully and successfully conditioned us through the deviant and bankrupt public education system and entertainment industry, to accept every worldview except, Bible based Evangelical Christianity. The resultant effect of this colossal secularist hijacking of contemporary culture is that now, the only heresy in America is the truth.
Almost every conceivable deviant sexual practice is now touted by secular society as being acceptable and the postmodern forces at be, are attempting to force all citizens within the North America Hemisphere and European continent to accept deviant lifestyles such as homosexuality or run the risk of being called a Fundamentalist Obstructionist, one who holds intolerant religious and political views that impede the progress and enlightenment of society. Already, in some Western countries such as very liberal contemporary Canada and Scandinavia, punitive legal measures or being exercised against Evangelicals Christians who speak the truth against this intolerant “tolerance” that attempts to force its citizens to accept ideas and lifestyle practices that the Bible calls sinful.
Evangelicals and cultural conservatives that buck this trend of accepting societal and sexual deviancy are being marginalized and castigated as Neanderthal-like in their outlook on life. If American and European Evangelicals are not careful and fail to act and speak out against this call for postmodern tolerance of unbiblical ideas and lifestyles, we run the risk of allowing the militant Anti-Christian secularist forces to take us down a path that most certainly lead to unbridled persecution and political tyranny reminiscent of Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia and modern day Communist China, where opposition to the ideology of the State is entirely suppressed.
Evangelical Christians must call contemporary society back to the ethical standards of the Bible and with uncompromising Biblical conviction, preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the only hope for our world or run the risk of being forced into accepting the obviously self-refuting, contradictory and self-defeating ideology known as “tolerant” Postmodernism.
This relativistic view postulates that nothing in Western Culture is wrong accept the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the Bible. Make no mistakes about it folks, there is currently a massive cultural war taking place and many secularists are making the argument that there is no heresy in the world accept the truth.
Will you stand up for the truth of Jesus Christ and His Word or be forced to accept the intolerant “tolerance” of the anti-Christian secularist- postmodern agenda that is destroying America ?
Jesus Christ, the Son of Almighty God died on the cross and rose again from the dead to give men and women eternal life, will you take a stand for the Gospel of Christ in America today?
The time is now to stand up for God and preach the Gospel of Christ, the only hope in a civilization that teeters on the brink of destruction. Will you stand up for Christ and be counted faithful in your generation? The time is now, the day is today, there might be no tomorrows.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
New Abortion Study
February 17, 2006
A new study from Norway underscores what a truly painful decision it is to have an abortion.
For five years, researchers followed 40 women who had miscarriages and 80 women who had abortions. What they found was that women who had miscarriages had anxiety and distress immediately after the loss and had those effects for up to six months following the miscarriage. Those who had abortions, however, had significantly more stress and anxiety that manifested itself for anywhere from two to five years.
Researchers also noted that women who had abortions struggled with feelings of guilt and shame. Post-abortive women were seven times more likely than women who had miscarriages to actively avoid thinking about the traumatic incident.
This study will unnerve abortion supporters who continue to tell women that post-abortion stress syndrome does not exist, which is the position of the American Psychological and Psychiatric Associations. This new study illustrates that it does—and women who chose abortions are women who hurt. Wouldn’t it be more compassionate to tell women the truth? Abortion stops one heart and breaks another.
A new study from Norway underscores what a truly painful decision it is to have an abortion.
For five years, researchers followed 40 women who had miscarriages and 80 women who had abortions. What they found was that women who had miscarriages had anxiety and distress immediately after the loss and had those effects for up to six months following the miscarriage. Those who had abortions, however, had significantly more stress and anxiety that manifested itself for anywhere from two to five years.
Researchers also noted that women who had abortions struggled with feelings of guilt and shame. Post-abortive women were seven times more likely than women who had miscarriages to actively avoid thinking about the traumatic incident.
This study will unnerve abortion supporters who continue to tell women that post-abortion stress syndrome does not exist, which is the position of the American Psychological and Psychiatric Associations. This new study illustrates that it does—and women who chose abortions are women who hurt. Wouldn’t it be more compassionate to tell women the truth? Abortion stops one heart and breaks another.
Catholic Priest Tells Pope Salvation is By Grace Alone
"Knowing this, that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified" (Galatians 2:16).
As a graduate of a Roman Catholic Parochial High School ( Detroit Holy Redeemer, 84'), I try to stay abreast of the recent developments in contemporary Roman Catholic Theology.
In reading the official Roman Catholic Catholicism, penned by current Pope Benedict XVI (the former theologian and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, Head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Catholic Faith), we read the following official doctrinal positions of the Catholic Church on justification;
From CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, Second Edition: ARTICLE 2GRACE AND JUSTIFICATION: sections delineated in blue numbers.
1993 Justification establishes cooperation between God's grace and man's freedom. On man's part it is expressed by the assent of faith to the Word of God, which invites him to conversion, and in the cooperation of charity with the prompting of the Holy Spirit who precedes and preserves his assent:
1997 Grace is a participation in the life of God. It introduces us into the intimacy of Trinitarian life: by Baptism the Christian participates in the grace of Christ, the Head of his Body. As an "adopted son" he can henceforth call God "Father," in union with the only Son. He receives the life of the Spirit who breathes charity into him and who forms the Church.
2003 Grace is first and foremost the gift of the Spirit who justifies and sanctifies us. But grace also includes the gifts that the Spirit grants us to associate us with his work, to enable us to collaborate in the salvation of others and in the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church. There are sacramental graces, gifts proper to the different sacraments. There are furthermore special graces, also called charisms after the Greek term used by St. Paul and meaning "favor," "gratuitous gift," "benefit."53 Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church. They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church.54
These and other official doctrinal proclamations of the magisterium of the Catholic Church conclusively demonstrates unequivocally that the Roman Catholicism officially believes in synergistic justification, not monergism as the Holy Scriptures clearly teach (Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-10 and Titus 3:5).
However, in a interesting turn of events, late last year, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher of the papal household told Pope Benedict XVI and his closest aides, that Martin Luther was correct in his view of justification and that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. For the complete story:
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=18021
Sincerely in Jesus Christ,
Ed Enochs
As a graduate of a Roman Catholic Parochial High School ( Detroit Holy Redeemer, 84'), I try to stay abreast of the recent developments in contemporary Roman Catholic Theology.
In reading the official Roman Catholic Catholicism, penned by current Pope Benedict XVI (the former theologian and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, Head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Catholic Faith), we read the following official doctrinal positions of the Catholic Church on justification;
From CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, Second Edition: ARTICLE 2GRACE AND JUSTIFICATION: sections delineated in blue numbers.
1993 Justification establishes cooperation between God's grace and man's freedom. On man's part it is expressed by the assent of faith to the Word of God, which invites him to conversion, and in the cooperation of charity with the prompting of the Holy Spirit who precedes and preserves his assent:
1997 Grace is a participation in the life of God. It introduces us into the intimacy of Trinitarian life: by Baptism the Christian participates in the grace of Christ, the Head of his Body. As an "adopted son" he can henceforth call God "Father," in union with the only Son. He receives the life of the Spirit who breathes charity into him and who forms the Church.
2003 Grace is first and foremost the gift of the Spirit who justifies and sanctifies us. But grace also includes the gifts that the Spirit grants us to associate us with his work, to enable us to collaborate in the salvation of others and in the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church. There are sacramental graces, gifts proper to the different sacraments. There are furthermore special graces, also called charisms after the Greek term used by St. Paul and meaning "favor," "gratuitous gift," "benefit."53 Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church. They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church.54
These and other official doctrinal proclamations of the magisterium of the Catholic Church conclusively demonstrates unequivocally that the Roman Catholicism officially believes in synergistic justification, not monergism as the Holy Scriptures clearly teach (Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-10 and Titus 3:5).
However, in a interesting turn of events, late last year, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher of the papal household told Pope Benedict XVI and his closest aides, that Martin Luther was correct in his view of justification and that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. For the complete story:
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=18021
Sincerely in Jesus Christ,
Ed Enochs
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