(Image via Wikipedia)

It has become culturally fashionable to make the claim that “Jesus never said he was God.”

Lots of folks would like to claim Jesus as their own but his divinity gets in the way. The Muslims claim Jesus was a great prophet to the Jews but far less than even their prophet Muhammad. Some Jewish folks would like to acknowledge him as an ancient Jewish rabbi teacher if they could leave out the God thing and ignore the terrible treatment many Jews have received from some of his misguided followers over the centuries.

Even Hindu and eastern gurus like to make the claim that Jesus traveled to India and learned everything from them. Then there is the strange case of Richard Dawkins who wants to claim that Jesus Would Be An Atheist Today.

The real problem is that the Bible gets in the way and supports the divinity of Jesus. Not only that, but Jesus clearly indicated on a number of different occasions that he was the “I am” God of the Old testament. The response of those who heard him at the time confirms it.

One is left to choose whether Jesus was a liar, just crazy, or whether he was telling the truth. Really there is no middle ground or justification for claiming that he was some kind of ethical teacher or prophet of God if he lied about something as basic as who he really was.

Here’s an excellent article from the Apologetics Guy summarizing what Jesus had to say about himself: “Did Jesus Say He Was God?”

If you happen to be talking to someone who makes the claim that “Jesus never said that he was God,” there are 3 key scriptures that I usually refer to in a pinch as a Biblical response:

1. John 8:58: “ Before Abraham was “I am” “

If you missed it, this is what the God of the Old Testament told Moses when he asked for a name. Those listening didn’t miss what he was claiming by their response in verse 9:

“they picked up stones to stone him”

2. John 10:30: “I and the Father are One”

Again those listening to him understood his claim and picked up stones to kill him (Verse 33):

“…for Blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

If you can’t remember where the first 2 scriptures are, here is the easiest one to find. Turn to the first book of the New Testament- Mark and find the record of his trial before the Sanhedrin toward the back of the book in chapter 14.

Here, the religious leaders respond to the claims of Jesus during his trial.

3.  Mark 14:61-65: The Trial of Jesus

Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"

"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." 

The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked.

"You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?"  They all condemned him as worthy of death. –NIV

Obviously the religious authorities believed that Jesus was claiming to be divine and deemed him worthy of death for his blasphemy.

These are just 3 key scriptures that prove that Jesus claimed to be God. Again, for more and for greater details and a good short summary of the Biblical evidence, read the Apologetics Guy’s article:

“Did Jesus Say He Was God?”                *Top

                                           (Image via Wikipedia)

There are many differences that separate the two largest world religions- Islam and Christianity.

Some of the greatest disparity revolves around their very different understandings about the character of God (or Allah in the case of Islam) and how one can have a relationship with God the Father and receive eternal salvation.

The Following is a short summary.

1.  The Character of God

Christianity teaches that God loves the world and all mankind: *

     ”…God is love.” – I John 4:8;  “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son…” -I John 4:10;  “I have Loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” -Jer. 31:3;  ”For God so loved the world, that he gave his one only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  -John 3:16

Islam teaches that the love of Allah is conditional- he only loves those who believe and do good works:

     -Sura 19:96  Lo! those who believe and do good works, the Beneficient will appoint for them love.

Christianity teaches that God is righteous and treats all of his creatures with perfect justice.

“For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice” -Psalm 11:7; “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.” -Psalm 89:14; “He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.” -Psalm 98:9; ”I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.” -Acts 10:34

In Islam, Allah does as he pleases. Guiding some men to go the right way and tricking others to go astray.

“If we so willed, we could have brought every soul its true guidance, but the word from me will come true: ”I will fill hell with the jinn and mankind together” “. -Sura 32:13

2. Human Relationship with God

Christianity teaches that God loves humanity and that believers can have an actual relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ His Son. God the Father sends His Holy Spirit to live and abide with Believers to help them live and become adopted members of His family.

”But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” -John 1:12-13

In Islam, It is a one way relationship. No one can be certain that they have found favor with Allah. Muslims are called upon to love and respect Allah and be obedient to his laws without any expectation of any kind of response.

3. Eternal Destiny

Christianity teaches that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ can be certain of their  salvation -that Heaven is their eternal destiny.

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” -1 John 5:13

 
In Islam, Muslims can never be certain that they have done enough to secure the favor of Allah and be received into Paradise following their death.

*Top 

                                           (Image via Wikipedia)

Here’s our best posts of 2011 based upon a combination of traffic and comments:

1.  -Losing the War of Ideas to Radical Islam?

2.  -Mormons & Evangelicals: Different Theology But Similar Values

3.  -Revolting Muslims Really Seeking New Caliphate and World Dominance?

4.  -Did 9/11 Change Attitudes About Religion?

5. -Radical Muslim Responses to Christmas

6.  -Judgment Day on May 21? I Don’t Think So

7.  -Independence Day: God Was There from the Very Beginning

8.  -Is Christmas Really a Pagan Holiday?

9.  -Camping Repents? Maybe -Maybe Not

10.  -Earliest Christian Writings in Existence Found in a Jordanian Cave?

*Top 

May God Bless you and yours during this new year.

With the new year, many want to improve their lives in 2012. One of the best ways to do that is to read the Bible daily in the new year.

Several polls taken during the last year have unfortunately demonstrated that American Christians are somewhat illiterate when it comes to the Bible and particularly Biblical teachings. One good way to reverse the trend is to set aside time to read the good book everyday. An excellent idea is to read through the whole Bible or at least the New Testament during 2011. There are a number of good programs to help you in the process. <<Read the rest on the Main Page>>

May God Bless us all in 2012.               *Top

               (Image via Wikipedia)

We have been Following the so-called ‘War on Christmas’ in America, but around the world some of the radical Muslim responses to Christmas really do rise to the level of that title. What is surprising considering the violent responses is the fact that Muslims do believe in most of the Christmas story, they just don’t believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

The following are a few stories I found this morning on Muslim responses to Christmas and the reactions of the Christian community.

-In Nigeria on Christmas, at least 5 churches were bombed with dozens of deaths among Christian worshippers and 100’s of injuries.

-In Iraq, the traditional mid-night Christmas masses have been cancelled do to threats and past terrorism on Christmas:

LONDON (CNS) — Chaldean Catholic officials have canceled traditional Christmas Eve midnight Masses because of security risks.
Chaldean Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk in northern Iraq told the agency Aid to the Church in Need that Christians will spend Christmas in "great fear" because of the risk of new attacks.
All services and Masses have been scheduled for daylight hours, he said in an interview with Rome-based AsiaNews.
"Midnight Christmas Mass has been canceled in Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk as a consequence of the never-ending assassinations of Christians," he said, citing the Oct. 31, 2010, attack on the Syrian Catholic cathedral that left 57 people dead in the Iraqi capital. …

-In the Gaza Strip (Palestinian territories) Christmas has been officially cancelled by the authorities. Since Hamas took over in Gaza, Christmas is no longer a recognized holiday and those outwardly celebrating it are in danger.

-In Pakistan, Christians face persecution this Christmas. Fortunately Pakistani authorities sent out 2,500 policemen throughout the country to protect churches during Christmas services this year.

Pakistan has roughly three million Christians who are constantly discriminated against and largely unemployed living in poor marginalized communities. Nevertheless they looked forward to celebrating Christmas in their communities. Those who live in mixed neighborhoods are naturally far more subdued in their outward celebrations.

Those are just the stories I found today following Christmas.

-In Egypt, the Coptic Christians will not celebrate Christmas until January 7. The last couple of years the Coptic communities have suffered violence during their Christmas services and celebrations. With the Egyptian government in total disarray, Christians in Egypt are fearful of what the season might bring this year.

*UPDATE (12/27/11):

-In Iran, during Christmas services a church (affiliated with the Assembly of God denomination) was raided by the police and everyone was arrested and detained by authorities including the children in the Sunday School. The strange part is that this is one of the 70 ‘official’ churches in that country that are supposed to be allowed to worship out in the open. Nevertheless an example was made of them on Christmas.             *Top

                                                (Image via Wikipedia)

Merry Christmas to you and yours and may God truly bless you this Christmas Day.

The Real Christmas Story 

Last night before we tucked the Grandchildren in bed for a long winter’s night we gathered around the Tree and carried on our family Christmas Eve tradition reading about the ‘real’ Christmas story in the Bible.

You’ve probably seen a dozen or so ‘Christmas stories’ on TV in the last couple of weeks but the real Christmas story is found in Matthew (Matt. 1:18-2:18) and in Luke ( Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-40). However, Isaiah should never be ignored:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Matthew gives us the story largely from the perspective of Joseph, including the dreams that he had and his family genealogy. In this gospel the ‘Kingship’ of Jesus is the major topic. Starting with the Davidic Kingly genealogy through Joseph and the coming of the Magi (Wisemen) who are looking for the new king. Also King Herod’s reaction is in Matthew.

The events in Luke are given to us from Mary’s view. The angel Gabriel appears to Mary and announces the coming of the child. Mary’s genealogy is also given in Luke (Luke 3:23-38), she was also a descendant of David, but not in the ‘Kingly’ line. Chapter 2 begins with the Christmas story that everyone is familiar with:

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

However, nothing explains the real reason for the season better than John 3:16-17:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  -KJV

*Top

           (Image via Wikipedia)

Here’s the story of the real St. Nicholas who was a Christian Bishop in the 4th century:

The Truth About Santa Claus

What comes to mind when you think of Santa Claus? Probably jolly ol’ St. Nick in his red suit, a snowy North Pole, a sleigh pulled by reindeer, gifts for Christmas or similar images. But there’s more to "St. Nick" than just the nickname.

History tells us that an actual Christian saint by the name of Nicholas ministered in the fourth century. Mythologized and secularized though he has been, Nicholas’ deeds of compassion were authentic.

Nicholas was born in the port city of Patara in Asia Minor around A.D. 280. When he was still young he came to faith in Christ, due primarily to an uncle who was a priest. When he was about 10 years old, a plague swept Patara killing many, including Nicholas’ parents. His uncle placed him in a monastery, an act of kindness in those times.

At 19 Nicholas became a priest, and at 20 he became the bishop of Myra Lysia, now Demre, a city near Patara. He became known as a compassionate bishop who had a great love for the poor, disenfranchised and morally bankrupt.

Nicholas’ acts of mercy soon became the stuff of legends. …

<<Read the rest of the story>>             *Top

                                              (Image via Wikipedia)

Years ago when my children were still small I had a couple of visitors at the door on a Saturday before Christmas. The Christmas tree was up with presents all around it in preparation for the big day.

The couple at the door explained that they did not celebrate Christmas since it was really a pagan holiday- Saturnalia –a old Roman celebration of their god Saturn on December 25.

Is Christmas really a pagan celebration like the cultist couple believed?

No.

But a lot depends upon how you celebrate the holiday. If you are celebrating the birth of Saturn than it is still pagan for you and yours. If Santa Claus and his reindeer are the central focus of your celebration then the couple may have a point.

If you are celebrating and remembering the birth of Jesus Christ then it is Christian no matter what day it is on. After all there is really no mention in the Bible what day it actually happened on. Since the shepherds were watching over their sheep in the fields on that first Christmas Eve then it had to have happened sometime between May and early October.

For more than 30 years it has been a tradition in our family to read about the first Christmas in the Bible and talk about it’s significance. I used to ask our kids what Christmas was all about and the four were expected to answer back with a quote of John 3:16-17 :

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

*Top

              (Image by jakebouma via Flickr)

In the Gospels we see Jesus born in Bethlehem and visiting in the Temple at 12 but the next time we see him he is being baptized by John the Baptist and begins his ministry at 30 years of age. What did Jesus do for the 18 years in between?

I don’t know and neither does anyone else at this point.

He probably did what every other faithful Jewish boy did in the first century- worked for his father until he came of age.

One thing for sure, he didn’t walk to India and learn how to do stuff from Hindu gurus like some fanciful accounts would have us believe. How do we know? Because nothing he did, said, or taught ever came close to reflecting any kind of Hindu teaching or eastern belief.

Also, in order to do so he would have had to abandon his responsibilities towards his earthy father Joseph. In that culture, a son was obligated to work for his father in the family trade until he came of age and started his own family.

Here’s a fine article by Gregory Koukl on this subject: “Jesus’ Missing Years”

He begins with this question:

Did Jesus study in India for the "missing" 18 years of His life and then bring back a message reflecting eastern religious thought?

He makes 5 important points:

1. There is no historical information what-so-ever that places Jesus in India.

2. The Gospels teach Jesus stayed in Israel.

3. The expense and distance make such a trip unlikely.

4. Gentile culture was repugnant to Jews.

5. Jesus taught Judaism, not Hinduism.

And then concludes with this:

Conclusion:
Every shred of hard evidence we have places Jesus in the land of Israel for His entire life except the brief sojourn in Egypt (which the historical accounts are careful to note).

Read what Greg Koukl says under each of the points. An excellent synopsis of this issue.             *Top

                         (Image by jnn1776 via Flickr)

Here’s an article in Baptist Press by Stephen Douglas Wilson that lists 5 important turning points in US history that we all should be thankful for:

“5 junctures in U.S. history for which we can be thankful”

Here’s the 5 that he lists:

1. The founding and settlement of the American colonies by religious dissenters.

2. The American Revolution and constitutional guarantees of freedom.

3. The preservation of the American state and the Civil War.

4. The defeat of the Axis powers in World War II.

5. The great economic expansion of the late 20th century.

It is hard to argue with these 5 especially when you read Wilson’s reasons for including them. However just for fun add to this list (in comments) any turning points in American history that you believe are just as important that we may also be thankful for.

Here’s my contribution:

‘The Great Awakenings’ along with all of the minor revivals that have helped to provide the strong religious foundation that contributed to the rise of America as a great nation.             *Top