Spiritual Warfare Resources 666
Spiritual Warfare Tips
When working online, don't waste your time or energy- go for the groups and forums that have the largest audience.
When arguing- use lawyer tactics- question, question, question. Make your opponent give all of the answers. Then take apart what they say and question some more. If they contradict themselves or reverse themselves- make an issue and throw it in their face in front of everyone. Make them look more and more discredible and like an ass in front of everyone.
When posting ugly biblical scriptures, it is best to copy and paste the entire page, as this often forces people to read it instead of giving them an optional link.
Remember- large e-groups and forums have the majority as lurkers. Be strong- the hard-core enemy who actually number fewer in most groups, especially if they are jews, they will scream and attack the loudest. The majority listens. Always try to have your proof and references handy.
Create junk e-mail accounts. Use them for only a specified time and do the hit, copy and paste. Make sure the groups you join have open posting. Moderated posts are obviously a waste of time. I have used this tactic with many xian e-groups- copy a full page of damaging scripture, paste it to the "post" with a title that will attract attention, and hit the send button, doing this many times right in a row, one after the other before the moderator can catch it if he/she is online.
Anti-Xian tracts can be left in libraries, churches (place them in their hymnals or other prayer books), book stores- especially in xian materials, in restrooms, on newspaper dispensers, school campuses and libraries, laundromats, xian library books, and bibles, outside xian revivals, hospitals, hospital waiting rooms, newspaper racks, and other functions and anywhere else you can come up with.
© Copyright 2005, Joy of Satan Ministries; Library of Congress Number: 12-16457
http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/
The above has biblical scriptures categorized and is an excellent resource to use when arguing with xians.
https://web.archive.org/web/20070207025605/https://www.luciferianliberationfront.org/llf2.html Luciferian Liberation Front The above site is an excellent resource for loads of damaging biblical scriptures and even has anti-xian tracts.
Tough Questions for the Christian Church
by James Buckner
(See here for a Christian response.)
Through years of participation in the life and culture of evangelical Christianity, a number of "difficult to understand" issues came to my attention. The approach to these problems endorsed by evangelical Christian leaders is for thoughtful Christians to accept the "difficulties" as inscrutable but nevertheless true, and to endeavor to strengthen one's faith in other areas where "difficulties" are not a hindrance. I acquiesced to this approach while I lived my busy life, until such time as I should be able to search out the solid answers that evangelical theologians had undoubtedly derived from their more thorough and sophisticated study of scripture.
After years of studying the Bible as an individual and in groups, listening to sermons, attending Christian conferences, leading a small group Bible study, reading evangelicalism's best apologists, and even preaching from the pulpit once, I was dismayed to discover that the church cannot answer the tough questions about Christianity. And I was heartbroken when I finally recognized, quite contrary to my own wish, that the cumulative force of the so-called "difficulties" thoroughly and unquestionably discredits Christianity.
Anticipating that many Christians will not accept my conclusion, and that they will urge me to come back to church and continue "searching," because of Jesus's promise that those who search will find, I have listed some questions the church must answer if it hopes to regain my attention.
The questions that follow have been organized loosely into categories to aid in referencing them. Many questions could legitimately be placed in other categories. Their current placement reflects my own judgment of where the weight of the questions carries the most force.
The list is not exhaustive. There are innumerable serious issues with Christianity laid out in the existing body of skeptical literature. The list that follows is a sampling from a variety of sources. Not a few were independently discovered by myself before I learned of the existence of serious skeptical literature, a few are original with myself, and a few actually come from Christian sources.
Some biblical references are given, but all are not. I am assuming that any Christian knowledgeable enough to address these questions intelligently will not have trouble finding the biblical passages at issue. In addition, some questions assume a general familiarity with certain biblical and extra-biblical subjects which are not practical to reference because the relevant knowledge is widely dispersed through a large body of literature; for unreferenced items, a Christian who does not understand the issue probably is not well-read enough to attempt an answer.
Problems with the Integrity of the Bible
Biblical Inconsistencies
1. Why does the evangelical church say there are no contradictions in the Bible when they are plainly there for anyone to see? (These are too numerous even to list a representative sample here. There are many books and monographs on this topic in skeptical literature.1)
2. Why does the Old Testament teach that there is no hell, while the New Testament teaches that there is? The idea of "progressive revelation" does not explain the conflicts in the biblical texts.
3. Why does most of the Old Testament teach that there is no afterlife (see Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, for example), while later Old Testament writings and the New Testament do?
4. Why does the church say that God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), when many biblical passages flatly contradict this?2
5. Was God known by the name Yahweh prior to Moses (Exodus 6:3), or was he not (Genesis 4:26, 5:29, 9:24, 22:14, 27:20, 27:27, 28:20-21)?
6. Which "Ten Commandments" are the Ten Commandments - the ones listed at Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, or the ones listed at Exodus 34? Only the list at Exodus 34 is explicitly called the "Ten Commandments" in the biblical text.
7. Was the Law given by Yahweh perfect (Psalm 19:7), or wasn't it (Hebrews 8:6-8)?
8. Why can't the six accounts of the resurrection be reconciled?3 Paul says that without the resurrection, the Christian faith is in vain (1 Cor 15:14). How could the biblical accounts possibly disagree on such an important narrative?
9. Why were the disciples surprised by Jesus's resurrection after Jesus had told them repeatedly to expect it?4 An angel even reminded the women that Jesus had told them of his impending resurrection (Luke 24:6-7). How is it that the women remembered his words (Luke 24:8), but the disciples didn't (John 20:9, Luke 24:12)? Even Jesus's enemies remembered that he had foretold that he would rise again (Matthew 27:63).
Biblical Ambiguities and Omissions
1. Why is the Bible unclear about how to be saved? Is there anything more important that the Bible could communicate? Why is it ambiguous and contradictory on this subject?
2. Why does Jesus teach salvation by works in the synoptic gospels, but John portrays him teaching salvation by faith?
3. Why does John not teach in his gospel that it is necessary to repent of our sins, since he states that his gospel was written specifically for the purpose of showing people how to be saved (John 20:31)?
4. Why is the nature and practice of the two sacraments - baptism and the Lord's Supper - left ambiguous in the Bible, and a cause of discord among churches?
5. Why is the book of Revelation incomprehensible if it is really "not sealed" (Rev 22:10)? Why are the prophecies in the book of Daniel actually easier to understand, if they are sealed (Daniel 12:9)?
6. Why doesn't the Bible provide unambiguous answers for major divisive doctrines like the efficacy of baptism, paedobaptism, mode of adult baptism, soteriology, Christology, trinitarianism, satanology, angelology, nature of the afterlife, eschatology, fundamentals of the faith, the standing of Jewish believers in relation to the Law, the standing of Gentile believers in relation to the Law?
Misinterpretation of Scripture by New Testament Figures
1. Why did the writers of the New Testament feel free to misquote and misinterpret the Old Testament and conflate verses?5
2. Why did the gospel writers use the Septuagint, an inferior translation of the Old Testament?6 Did the Holy Spirit fail to inspire them with the more accurate Hebrew text, the one accepted today?
3. Why did Matthew and Peter take Old Testament passages out of context to make them into prophecies, when they were never indicated to be prophetic by the Old Testament author (Acts 1:20 versus Psalm 69:25, for example)?
4. Why did Mark misreference an Old Testament prophet (Mark 1:2)?7 How can we rely on Mark to explain Old Testament prophecies to us if he is even mistaken about the source?
5. Why does Jude quote the non-canonical Book of Enoch as prophecy (Jude 14-15)? Did the Holy Spirit fail to inspire Jude with the fact that the Book of Enoch would not be accepted into the canon?
6. Why does Matthew quote a non-existent Old Testament prophecy (Matthew 2:23)? Was he using non-canonical writings, too?
7. Why does Matthew attribute a quote about the potter's field to Jeremiah, when Jeremiah has no such passage, and the closest one in the Old Testament is Zechariah (Matt 27:9-10; Zechariah 11:12)?
8. Why doesn't Paul ever quote Jesus from the gospel accounts, or show that he knew anything at all about Jesus's teachings and life as portrayed in the gospels?
9. Why is no single hermeneutic adequate for interpretation of scripture?
Why were the New Testament authors so free and loose in their hermeneutics? How could it be that the meanings of some words and phrases have been lost? How could it be that some cultural references have been lost? How can it be that many books and passages admit of multiple interpretations? Doesn't God want us to understand his Word enough to protect the knowledge of its referents and use unambiguous diction and phraseology?
Failed Biblical Promises
1. Why doesn't prayer work, when the Bible promises that it will (John 14:14, for example)?
2. Why aren't Christians doing greater works than Jesus did, since he himself said they would (John 14:12)? The context is clearly referring to miracles.
Failed Prophecies
1. Why have no prophecies been demonstrated to have been fulfilled? Why are many Old Testament prophecies too vague to be tested? Why are many Old Testament prophecies "yet to be" fulfilled? Why has it been impossible to demonstrate that the Old Testament prophecies were written prior to the events forecasted?
2. Why wasn't Tyre destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar as prophesied by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 26)? When it was destroyed by Alexander the Great, why didn't it remain desolate as prophesied by Ezekiel?8
3. How can it be that Isaiah prophesied a temporary destruction of Tyre, while Ezekiel prophesied a permanent destruction (Ezekiel 26:14,21; 27:36; 28:19 versus Isaiah 23:13-18)?
4. Why wasn't there a 40-year period in Egypt's history when the whole land was devoid of people and animals, as prophesied by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 29:11-12)?
5. Why is so much of New Testament prophecy incomprehensible? Why produce a prophecy at all if it cannot be understood?
Problems with Miracles
1. Why haven't any of the miracles recorded in the Bible been independently confirmed?
2. Why don't verifiable miracles happen today? What better way is there to convince people of the Christian message, and isn't that the commission given to the church by Jesus?
3. Why don't evangelical Christians accept miracle stories recorded in ancient non-biblical works? Isn't it the case that evangelical Christians have decided a priori to accept biblical miracles and reject all others? Aren't the apologists' "objective standards" for accepting or rejecting extra-biblical miracles post hoc?
Origin and Transmission of the Scriptures
1. Why is the authorship of most books of the Bible disputed? Why do many books of the Bible have no statement of authorship? Why are some books in the canon pseudepigraphical (lie about authorship)?
2. Why did the early church not revere the scriptures as Christians do today, so that they added interpolations and made emendations?
3. Why hasn't the Bible been transmitted to us in perfect condition if it is so important and if God had his supernatural hand in it? Why did both Israel and the church add interpolations, emend, and conflate the texts?
The Canon
1. Why is the Mosaic injunction against false prophets ignored in the canon? Deuteronomy 18:20-22 should disqualify Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jonah, Jesus, and Paul.
2. Why is the canon disputed by the church? Is God content to let uninspired writings falsely be proclaimed as his Word? Furthermore, how do we know the canon is complete?
3. Why has no one been able to describe a consistent objective basis for establishing the canon? Why was the canon established by vote instead of on objective principles? Why was the canon not directly revealed by God?
4. Why is so much of New Testament doctrine revealed through the use of occasional letters instead of in systematic books written, authorized, and canonized specifically to define Christian doctrine? Why didn't God deliver these himself, as he did the Law to Moses? Maybe this explains why the Old Testament Law has more clarity than the New Testament doctrines. Why did God leave the writing of systematic theologies to modern, uninspired writers, who cannot agree with one another?
Biblical Values
1. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, why did God lie about what the outcome would be (Genesis 2:17),9 while the serpent told the truth (Genesis 3:5,22)?
2. Why are women treated as chattel and inferior to men throughout the Bible?10
3. Why is the Old Testament and most of the New Testament addressed only to free men, and not to women or slaves? Does God deal only with free males?11
4. Why does the Bible condone slavery?12
5. Why does Yahweh command genocide,13 including the killing of infants? Why does he command that all women who have "known a man" be slaughtered, but the soldiers are to keep the young virgins for their own use (Numbers 31:14-18)? Why does the Bible portray Yahweh as worse than Hitler (Deuteronomy 20:16-17)? Isn't it blasphemous to call the Bible "God's Word," when it libels him so?
6. Why doesn't the Bible condemn polygamy? Is it not really a sin? In fact, the Bible seems to condone polygamy through examples of God blessing polygamists and by its explicit statements regarding David.
7. Why wasn't Lot condemned for giving his daughters to be abused by the men of Sodom (Genesis 19:8)? The Bible actually calls him righteous (2 Peter 2:7)!
8. How can Christians say that the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of religion is based on Judeo-Christian ethics when Deuteronomy 13:6-10 and 17:2-7 flatly contradict this?
9. How can being mauled by a bear possibly be a just punishment for name-calling (2 Kings 2:23-24)? Doesn't this contradict God's own edict of "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth?"
10. Why is faith - believing something for which there is no evidence - a virtue?
11. Why is rational skepticism a vice? If Christianity is true, won't the truth hold up under scrutiny? Shouldn't the church welcome and promote rational skepticism as a way of confirming and spreading the faith when people see that it fails to undermine Christianity? Why isn't skeptical literature studied and refuted in Sunday School classes?
Biblical Guidance
1. Why do Moses, Ezra, Jesus, and Paul all disagree on marriage and divorce? Moses allowed divorce, Jesus disallowed it and also allowed it, Paul allowed it, and Ezra actually commanded it to appease God (Ezra 10). How is an honest Christian supposed to know what to do in this area?
2. Why does the New Testament teach by example that major decisions should be decided by lot (in Acts chapter 1 when Matthias is chosen)?
3. Why doesn't the Bible provide unambiguous guidance for major divisive issues like abortion, divorce, war, church discipline, lending and borrowing money, etc.? Doesn't God want the church to be united? Doesn't God want individual Christians to know how they should live?
Conflicts with Science
1. Why does the Bible teach that the sky is a solid dome of transparent material with water above it?14 (The water poured through the "windows of heaven" to cause Noah's flood, and then presumably poured off the edge of the disk-shaped earth into the abyss.)
2. Why does the Bible teach that goats will have striped offspring if they see stripes when they drink at the watering trough, when this has been discredited by modern genetics?
3. Why does the Bible record scientifically impossible events as factual?
For example, the creation narrative, Noah's deluge, a solid dome over the sky, Earth supported by a foundation. Why has the evangelical church produced "Creation Science" explanations that are complete nonsense? Why is it that none of the more rational reconciliations of science and the Bible survives scrutiny?
4. How can it be that Psalm 16 and Romans 1 teach that the creation is a reliable means of knowing God ("natural theology"), but the scientific study of biological and geological origins contradicts the creation narrative in Genesis? Why does "natural theology" contradict "revealed theology" (the Bible)? Is the creation bearing false witness? Is the Bible bearing false witness?
Absurd Doctrines
1. Where is the justice in punishing us for Adam's sin? The Bible itself says that children will not be punished for the parents' sins (Deuteronomy 24:16). Furthermore, if God really created Adam not knowing either good or evil (Genesis 3:22), how could such a harsh and enduring punishment as death for Adam and all his descendants possibly be just? Our secular courts are more just than God when they show mercy on people who cannot distinguish between right and wrong, such as children and the mentally handicapped. And why isn't this doctrine of original sin found anywhere in the Bible except in Paul's writings?
2. Where is the justice in punishing Jesus for our sins? If our courts of law were to accept the punishment of someone else in the place of the criminal, we would not say that justice has been done, but that injustice has been added to injustice. Would the church have me believe that two wrongs make a right?
3. How can sacrificing Jesus on behalf of the sinner atone for another's sin? This would be like killing my child to reconcile for the misbehavior of my neighbor's child. I have the capacity simply to forgive and forget without demanding compensation for small offenses. Why can't God do this? Does he simply want blood?
4. Why pray? If it changes God's mind then he is not sovereign. If it does not change God's mind then it is superfluous.
5. How can the doctrine of the Trinity possibly be true? Any attempt to make sense of it leads to contradictions. If it is so important, why isn't it clearly taught in the Bible? Why shouldn't an objective student of the doctrine conclude that it was created by the church to hide biblical inconsistencies about the nature of Christ behind a shroud of mystery?
6. Why is God concerned about humans at all? We are less than a speck in the universe. Christianity has the hallmarks of being a religion made by humans for humans.
7. Why have all the rational arguments for the existence of God been successfully refuted? If God exists, is it unreasonable to suppose that there would be at least one irrefutable proof of his existence?
8. Why haven't the existing proofs of God's non-existence been refuted? Surely believers, who have the advantage of an indwelling Holy Spirit with an "infinite mind," cannot be stumped by "finite minds" of unbelievers working within the confining limitations of reason, can they?
9. Why is it that some teachings are conveniently tautological (i.e., circular)? For example, you must pray the will of God in order for prayer to be answered; you must believe the Bible in order to understand the Bible; and the Bible is the Word of God, therefore it is true.
10. How exactly does "loving God and enjoying him forever" give meaning to life? Any satisfying secular activity can give meaning to life. Why does the Christian assume that a metaphysical meaning for life is necessary? Isn't it the Christian who imposes meaninglessness on this present life, declaring that meaning depends for its existence on the life to come? And if Christians did not believe they will live forever, would they continue to love and serve God? Isn't it really eternal life that the Christian loves, and not God? If purpose in this present life is really derived from loving and serving God, then what sense does it make for Christians to make meaning dependent upon a future life?
11. Where is objective, verifiable evidence that a soul or spirit exists and survives the body after death? Why does the Old Testament deny such an idea until the later writings, which show the influence of Greek ideas? The idea of "progressive revelation" does not explain this.
Intractable Theological Problems
1. How could Adam and Eve ever have sinned if God had actually created them perfect, even if they did have free will? If God created them imperfect, how could a perfect omnipotent being create anything imperfect?
2. How can evil exist in the world if God is simultaneously good, omnipotent, and loving? Why is it that no theodicy stands up under rational scrutiny?
3. Why does the church say God did not create evil, when he himself claims that he did in Isaiah 45:7, Lamentations 3:38, and Amos 3:6?15
4. Why does God expressly take credit for creating disabilities (Exodus 4:11)? If these are God's doing, then why does the evangelical church insist that disabilities are the result of the fall, or of Satan's work?
5. Why would a loving, omnipotent, benevolent god cause people to believe falsehoods so that he can condemn them (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)?
6. Why is the Bible inconsistent on major theological issues such as the nature and existence of an afterlife, the efficacy of works of the Law with regard to salvation, and the distinction between soul and spirit?
7. Why does the evangelical church speak of absolute values when the Bible teaches situational ethics?16
8. Why is it not possible to formulate a systematic theology that agrees with the Bible in all points? Roman Catholic theology introduces unbiblical and irrational ideas; Calvinistic reformed theology stumbles at the existence of evil; covenantal theology muddles the biblical distinctions between Israel and the church; dispensational theology is too hopelessly complex to be credible because every major inconsistency is explained away by spuriously introducing a new "dispensation;" and Arminianism destroys the sovereignty of God.
9. Why doesn't the Bible itself present its own "revealed" systematic theology. Doesn't God want us to have a consistent and complete framework of theology to support right decision making and teaching others?
Blemishes on the Church
Unbiblical and Inconsistent Practices of the Church
1. Why does the church worship on Sunday, when the seventh day was established forever? There is no biblical support for Sunday worship; it is a tradition of the Catholic Church which Protestants accept.
2. Why do many evangelical churches deny that baptism is essential for salvation, when the New Testament clearly teaches that it is?17
3. Why do some churches object to wine since the Bible indicates that it is a gift from God (Psalm 104:14-15)?18 How can they continue to object even when they acknowledge that Jesus turned water into wine? Is this anything more than a holdover from prohibition? In fact, the Bible promotes drunkenness in Proverbs 31:6-7.
4. Why does the modern evangelical church embrace the extra-biblical doctrines of "having a personal relationship with Christ," having a "quiet time," "journaling," and the necessity of belonging to an "accountability group?" Doesn't the church understand its own religion? Why is it caught up in pop-religion? If these are not really doctrines of the church, then why is there social pressure to conform?
5. Why does the church teach tithing for Christians, when it is only commanded of Old Testament Israel? Why didn't Paul teach tithing to the New Testament church when he had the opportunity to (2 Corinthians 9)?
6. Why do some churches ignore controversial teachings in the Bible, such as speaking in tongues, baptism for the dead, the requirement for women to wear head coverings and to remain silent, the identification of the "sons of God" in Genesis 6, the necessity of poverty in order to follow Jesus (Luke 14:33), etc? Doesn't the Holy Spirit reveal the true meaning of these passages to believers? If so, why do sincere believers come to opposite conclusions on their own, and why aren't they able to come to agreement when they dialog with each other? Surely, Jesus is with them to guide them when two or three are gathered together in his name, isn't he, even if they misapprehended the Spirit's guidance when they were on their own?
7. Why must Christians resort to divination (looking for "guidance," looking for "doors of circumstance to open or close," etc.) if the Holy Spirit dwells within them? What is the benefit of an indwelling Holy Spirit if it doesn't manifest itself in day-to-day living, and it has to be coaxed into revealing God's will in major decisions?
8. Why do Christians pray about whether to marry someone, when Paul says that if they want to get married they should just do it (1 Corinthians 7)?
9. Why does the evangelical church rail against one-world government, since they say it is God's plan as revealed in Revelation? How can they justify speaking and acting against God's revealed plan?
The Headless Church
1. Why is the evangelical church subject to the same social movements as the rest of society? If the church is headed by the living Christ, shouldn't the institution be a steady keel in a stormy sea?
2. Why does the church trail rather than lead in social reforms? (For example: the rise of capitalism, rise of the scientific method and critical thinking, abolition of slavery, eradication of Nazism, women's suffrage, civil rights of African Americans after the abolition of slavery.) And why does the church dishonestly claim leadership in these reforms after the fact?
3. Why are the church's day-to-day practices guided by cultural norms rather than by the perfect, absolute, unchangeable norms of God and the Bible? For example, why do churches separate children from their families and age-grade them like the schools, why does the church propagate self-help ideology when the message of the Bible is dependence upon God, why does the church accept and participate in competition where it has rejected it in the past,19 why has the service of women in the church been addressed only after secular culture has addressed women's issues, why does the style of music in the church and church architecture follow cultural patterns instead of defining cultural patterns?
4. Why doesn't the church understand Jesus's teachings? Why are most preachers afraid to preach straight through a gospel from beginning to end?
Why do they skip over Jesus's "difficult" sayings and the enigmatic passages?
Character of the Church
1. Why has the church done so little good and so much harm in 2000 years, while science has demonstrated remarkable progress in only 500 years? Why is the period when the church dominated western history universally referred to as the Dark Ages, while the period of breaking away from church dogma is called the Enlightenment?
2. Why are the Crusades and the Inquisition and other church-sponsored atrocities politely ignored in many church education programs, leaving church members to learn of these in other venues, or, more likely, to remain ignorant of the heritage of the institution to which they belong and contribute.
3. Why does the church conceal and ignore and misrepresent legitimate criticisms and critics? If Christianity is undoubtedly true, why doesn't the church demonstrate it by refuting the whole body of skeptical literature in Sunday School classes? The church isn't trying to hide something is it? How can the church possibly maintain credibility when it is so blatantly partisan on the side of dogma, and obviously not dispassionately seeking truth wherever the evidence may lead.
4. Why do so many members of the church dismiss the veracity of unbelief without even giving it a fair hearing, especially in light of biblical condemnations of this behavior, such as "He who answers before listening - that is his folly and his shame," (Proverbs 18:13, NIV), and "The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him," (Proverbs 18:17, NIV), for example.
Problems with Jesus's Credentials and Character
1. Why are many Old Testament prophecies about Jesus referenced in the New Testament taken out of context, not being messianic prophecies at all?20 Why would Jesus's disciples, and Jesus himself in Matthew 4:13-16, misrepresent the Old Testament text? Surely the Son of God would not allow a disciple to persist in distorted understanding of the scriptures, nor teach a synagogue class an unjustified misinterpretation of scripture?
2. Why doesn't Jesus fit the real, clearly identifiable, messianic prophesies of the Old Testament? Why do the gospel writers ignore these prophecies? Why does the church condemn first century Jews for rejecting Jesus as the Messiah, when he clearly does not fulfill the Old Testament prophecies of Messiah? Why must we wait until Jesus' second coming to see the clearest prophecies fulfilled?
3. Why do the two genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke disagree? If someone is declared to be the son of God, surely his credentials must be impeccable, mustn't they? Two variant genealogies cast suspicion on the true origin of this man, don't they?
4. Why does the genealogy in Matthew 1 show that Jesus descended through a cursed line?21 Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) and his father Jehoiakim were both cursed by God himself, who said that neither of these men would have any descendent on the throne of David. How could Jesus possibly be the Messiah, destined to rule forever on the throne of David, if he descended through either of these men?
5. If the genealogy in Luke is that of Mary and not Joseph, then why does it list Joseph in the line rather than Mary? Why is no other genealogy of a woman recorded anywhere else in scripture? And if this is Mary's genealogy, then Jesus descended through Nathan, not Solomon, making the prophecies in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 and 1 Chronicles 22:10 false.
6. If, using the genealogy in Luke, Jesus's claim to descent from David, of the tribe of Judah, is through Mary rather than Joseph then how can it be that Mary's cousin, Elizabeth, was descended from the house of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi (Luke 1:5)?
7. Why does Jesus misquote the Old Testament?22
8. Why does Jesus refer to the writings of Moses (Mark 12:26), when it is clear that Moses could not possibly have written the Pentateuch?23 Surely the son of God would know more about the Word of God than anyone else, wouldn't he?
9. How can it be that Jesus contradicts the Old Testament (1 Samuel 21-22), saying that Abiathar gave David the showbread instead of Ahimelech, and saying that David had men with him, when he was actually alone (Mark 2:25-26)? Does the church expect me to rely upon the teachings of a "son of God" who is demonstrably mistaken about what God's Word says?
10. Why does Jesus quote a non-existent verse of Old Testament scripture (John 7:38)? Is it possible that he considered other non-canonical writings also to be God's Word?
11. Why would Jesus deliberately obscure the gospel by speaking in parables so that people would not understand, turn, and be forgiven (Mark 4:11-12)? Did he not come that all men might be saved?
12. Why was Jesus in the tomb for only two and a half days at the most, when he said he would be there three days and three nights (Matthew 12:40)?
Surely the son of God would say precisely what he means, wouldn't he?
13. Why would Jesus prophesy that his kingdom would come in glory before some of those listening to him died, but the kingdom still has not come (Matt 16:18, Matt 10:23, Mark 9:1, Luke 21:31-32)? Surely the son of God could not have spoken a false prophecy, could he?
14. Why did Jesus say his followers must hate their families? Surely, when the son of God said "hate" he meant "hate," didn't he? Why would the son of God confuse us by using hyperbole? How could the examples of Luke 9:59-62, even if allegorical, be hyperbole anyway? Jesus clearly called a man to the irresponsible, disrespectful action of leaving his father, implying that he was not even to attend his funeral, and he called another to leave his family without even saying farewell or letting them know he was deserting them.
15. Why was Jesus disrespectful of his mother?24 In John 2:4, Jesus uses the same words with his mother that demons use when they meet Jesus.25 Surely the son of God knew that Mary had the blessing of the Father, didn't he, not to mention that the son of God would never be rude?
16. Why did Jesus lie to his brothers about going to Jerusalem (John 7:8-10)?26 Did God the Father send a lying spirit, as he did in 1 Kings? Like Father, like Son?
17. Why did Jesus, by his own admission, break the Sabbath law (John 5:16-18)?27 This puts the lie to the Christian idea that the perfect Jesus fulfilled the whole Law, and therefore was a suitable unblemished sacrifice for our sins.
18. Why did Jesus say the ruler's daughter was not dead? (Matt 9:18-25; Luke 8:41-56) Either Jesus lied, or he performed no miracle, but the context clearly shows that it was understood to be a miracle.
Evolution of Religion by Naturalistic Social Processes
1. If Christian theology and the church have a supernatural origin in an omnipotent God, then why has theology and the church evolved through naturalistic social processes over time?
2. Why does theology change from the beginning of the Bible to the end? Why are the later writings influenced by Greek thought (for example, immortality)? Why is there such a large theological gap between the Old and New Testaments? The changes are not explainable by the idea of "progressive revelation," or by any systematic theology.
3. Why was the doctrine of the Trinity unknown to the church until the fourth century? Why was the doctrine established by vote instead of by revelation? Why was the membership of the voting council loaded with Athanasians? Why was belief in this then-new doctrine made a condition for membership in the church? Why were Arians exiled and executed?
4. Why is Jesus so similar to the other 15 suffering saviors of mythology? Why don't Christians believe any of the other virgin births and savior stories recorded in ancient literature? How is it that the ritual of Christian communion existed in the prior pagan ceremonies of eating the body and drinking the blood of their gods? How is it that the Christian ritual of baptism also existed in the prior pagan cults? Weren't the very defining doctrines of Christianity actually assimilated from the endemic pagan cults? Likewise, why are Easter, Christmas, the Lenten season, rogation days, and others, derived from pagan holidays. Didn't Christianity have any legitimate calendar of commemorations of its own?
5. How did liberal churches come to exist? If they are inclined to believe, why did they not continue to believe the "fundamentals?" Could it be because the fundamentals have insurmountable problems that discredit them?
Conclusion
1. Why hasn't the church answered any of these questions in the 23 years I have been a part of it?
2. Why hasn't the church answered any of these questions in 2000 years?
I can only conclude that it is because the church has no answers.
(c) Copyright 1997, James Buckner. Permission is hereby given to reproduce and distribute this material in whole or in part in any medium, on condition that the reproductions not be sold for any form of consideration, and on condition that the author is duly cited as the source.
End Notes
1 See, for example, the works of Thomas Paine, Robert Ingersoll, Joseph Wheless, Dennis McKinsey, Farrell Till, and others. Many of these writings can be found on the Secular Web at www.infidels.org.
2 Genesis 11:9; Exodus 14:24 and 23:27; Deuteronomy 7:23 and 28:20,28; Joshua 10:10.
3 Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21, Acts 1:3-12, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.
4 Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23, 20:17-19, Mark 9:31, 10:34, Luke 9:22, 18:33.
5 Matthew 3:3 versus Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 12:17-21 versus Isaiah 42:1-4; Matthew 13:35 versus Psalm 78:1-3; Acts 2:16-21 versus Joel 2:28-32; Acts 7:43 versus Amos 5:25-27; Romans 3:4 versus Psalm 51:4; Romans 9:33 versus Isaiah 28:16 and 8:14; Romans 10:6-8 versus Deuteronomy 30:12-14; Romans 11:9-10 versus Psalm 69:22-23; Romans 11:26-27 versus Isaiah 59:20-21; 1
1 Corinthians 3:20 versus Psalm 94:11; 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 versus Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14.
6 Matthew 3:3; Luke 4:17-21; Acts 7:43; Acts 15:17; Romans 10:11.
7 This misreference is found in the critical text, but not in the Textus Receptus, illustrating that the early church was willing to emend the holy scriptures to remove difficulties.
8 Ezekiel 26:14, 27:36, 28:19; Wallace B. Fleming, The History of Tyre, Columbia University Press, 1915, p. 64.
9 Some modern translations soften Yahweh's statement that Adam would die "in that day," and so disguise the problem.
10 The evidence is too overwhelming to cite even a representative portion of the relevant scriptures, but a few of the more explicit examples are 1 Corinthians 11:3,9; 1 Timothy 2:12-14. A good source of additional information on this topic is the Freedom From Religion Foundation, PO Box 750, Madison, Wisconsin 53701.
11 The fact that God dealt with Israel during their slavery does not weaken the force of this question. Israel's slavery was a temporary condition designed to underline Israel's dependence on Yahweh. Yahweh began to deal with Israel when he was a free man.
12 See, for example, Exodus 21:20-21, Deuteronomy 15:17, Leviticus 25:44-46, Ephesians 6:5-7, 1 Timothy 6:1, Colossians 3:22, Titus 2:9, 1 Peter 2:18,21.
13 Number 21:34-35, Joshua 10:40, 1 Samuel 15:3,18, Jeremiah 50:21 for example.
14 Paul H. Seely, "The Firmament and the Water Above: Part I: The Meaning of raqiaà in Gen 1:6-8," Westminster Theological Journal 53:241-261 (Fall 1991), and "...Part II: The Meaning of "The Water above the Firmament" in Gen 1:6-8," 94:47-63 (1992).
15 Despite the renderings in the modern translations, this is the same Hebrew word translated "evil" in numerous other passages. However, even with the modern renderings, how can the Christian explain God's taking credit for "calamity" (NASB) or "woe" (NRSV) or "disaster" (NIV)?
16 David's eating the showbread, for example, and Jesus's Golden Rule.
17 Mark 16:16; Acts 2:28; Acts 2:41; Acts 22:10 + Acts 9:6 + Acts 22:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17 + Romans 6:3-6
18 See also, for example, Jeremiah 13:12, Joel 2:19, Deuteronomy 14:25-26, Isaiah 25:6, Deuteronomy 7:13.
19 The ancient Olympics were outlawed by the church through direct governmental influence, and the modern Olympics were not revived until the church lost its hold on secular government.
20 Matthew 3:3 versus Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 4:13-16 versus Isaiah 9:1-2; John 19:36 versus Psalm 34:20; John 19:37 versus Zechariah 12:10.
21 Matthew 1:11-12 + Jeremiah 22:28-30 and 1 Chronicles 3:16 + Jeremiah 36:30 versus Luke 1:32.
22 Matthew 4:10 versus Deuteronomy 6:13; Matthew 11:10 versus Malachi 3:1; Matthew 21:16 versus Psalm 8:2; Luke 4:17-21 versus Isaiah 61:1-2.
23 This is firmly established by pentateuchal anachronisms detailed in numerous critical sources.
24 Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21, John 2:4.
25 Compare John 2:4 with Matthew 8:29, Mark 5:7, Luke 4:34, and Luke 8:28 in literal translation
26 The "yet" inserted in some modern translations is not found in the earliest extant manuscripts. This is an example of modern emendation of holy scripture. The more honest translations, like the King James Version, print "yet" in italics, indicating that the word has been added in translation. The New American Standard Bible does not insert the word, remaining true to the critical Greek text. But the New International Version inserts "yet" in normal typeset, relegating the explanation of its dubious character to a footnote, where many uncritical readers will miss it.
27 The point of this reference is that Jesus plainly said that he was working, in violation of the Sabbath law. If he was not really working, then he lied.
A Christians response:
Response to Tough Questions
Biblical Inconsistencies
1. Why does the evangelical church say there are no contradictions in the Bible when they are plainly there for anyone to see?
-Christians say this because this is what the Bible says about itself. Though I'm sure there are more reasons, this is the most basic answer.
4. Why does the church say that God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), when many biblical passages flatly contradict this?
-There is a difference between God having the character of confusion (as discussed in Corinthians) and using confusion unto His ends (Genesis & exodus). Plus, as this "contradiction" crosses the Greek-Hebrew translation barrier, there may be more of an answer (that I don't know) found within the root Greek and Hebrew words to "confusion".
7. Was the Law given by Yahweh perfect (Psalm 19:7), or wasn't it (Hebrews 8:6-8)?
-The law is perfect. However, it cannot save people. The term "faultless", I believe, refers to the limitation that no person can attain salvation via the law. Note, however, that this limitation rests on humanity, not on the law.
Biblical Ambiguities and Omissions
1. Why is the Bible unclear about how to be saved? Is there anything more important that the Bible could communicate? Why is it ambiguous and contradictory on this subject?
-Actually, the Bible is very clear on this subject. Romans 3:23 says that each person has sinned. Romans 6:23 says that every person that sins is condemned to death (eternally in Hell). Romans 5:8 says that Jesus Christ died for us so that whoever puts their faith in Him shall be saved (Romans 10: 13). John 3:16 reiterates this and says that whoever believes in Jesus Christ will have eternal life.
The issue that the New Testament seems to be inconsistent on the requirements for salvation. While some passages, such as those you quoted, claim that all that is required is to simply believe in Jesus, other passages claim different things. James, for example, claims that both faith and works are required for salvation (James 2:24), a view that is shared by Jesus in some New Testament passages (see Mark 10:17 and following). Still other passages claim that baptism is essential for salvation (Acts 2:38 and I Peter 3:21).
4. Why is the nature and practice of the two sacraments - baptism and the Lord's Supper - left ambiguous in the Bible, and a cause of discord among churches?
-I can't give a complete answer to this. However, since these 2 sacraments are symbolic in nature and not necessary for salvation (a good example is the thief on the cross in Luke 23: 39-43), I'm not sure this is really a major issue (nor one that should cause someone to reject Biblical Christianity).
6. Why doesn't the Bible provide unambiguous answers for major divisive doctrines like efficacy of baptism, paedobaptism, mode of adult baptism, soteriology, Christology, trinitarianism, satanology, angelology, nature of the afterlife, eschatology, fundamentals of the faith, the standing of Jewish believers in relation to the Law, the standing of Gentile believers in relation to the Law?
-The Bible provides sufficient answers to what humanity needs for life.
I might ask why the Bible doesn't provide information on quantum physics or the theory of relativity. But (I think), most people don't need to know these things. And since they aren't discussed in the Bible, they apparently aren't necessary for our time on earth. Personally, I'd like some questions answered, but I know that these will have to wait till heaven.
4. Why did Mark misreference an Old Testament prophet (Mark 1:2)?7 How can we rely on Mark to explain Old Testament prophecies to us if he is even mistaken about the source?
-When quoting more than one author, it was common in those times to attribute the entire quote to the more famous of the two authors. So when Mark quotes from both Malachi (vs.2) and Isaiah (vs.3), he only gives credit to Isaiah. Thus, there is no misreference.
By the way, this is not a tough question to answer. I learned the answer to this "problem" (which my liberal religious studies professor showed me) in a Bible study on the radio. No offense, but I think a little more diligent research may have prevented some of these "tough questions" that seem to have stumbled you so badly.
Randel Helms has this to say about Mark 1:2 -
The opening verses of Mark show clearly their origin in a pre-Markan account rather than in Peter's memory:
In the prophet Isaiah it stands written: "Here is my herald whom I send on ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. A voice crying aloud in the wilderness, 'Prepare a way for the Lord; clear a straight path for him'" (Mark 1:2-3)
Mark is writing from an already-composed source rather than with a copy of Isaiah open in front of him; for he is apparently unaware that much of what he is quoting is not from Isaiah at all, but is in fact a merging of the first nine words of the Septuagint Greek version of Exodus 23:20 with a paraphrase of Hebrew Malachi 3:1, that is in turn joined with a paraphrase of Septuagint Isaiah 40:3. ("Who wrote the Gospels?")
The fact that the later Gospel writers, who used Mark as a source, regarded this as a mistake is evident by the fact they changed the words of John the Baptist to conform to Isaiah. (Matthew 3:3 and Luke 3:4-6).
7. Why does Matthew attribute a quote about the potter's field to Jeremiah, when Jeremiah has no such passage, and the closest one in the Old Testament is Zechariah (Matt 27:9-10; Zechariah 11:12)?
-Again, as in question 4, the author is quoting from 2 sources--one from Zechariah and one from Jeremiah. He, thus, attributes, the entire quote only to them more famous author.
The problem is that he is not quoting from Jeremiah at all. Matthew 27:9-10 comes from Zechariah, lock, stock and barrel. Although Jeremiah mentions a potter in Jeremiah 18, it has nothing whatsoever to do with the quote in Matthew 27.
Failed Biblical Promises
1. Why doesn't prayer work, when the Bible promises that it will (John 14:14, for example)?
-It does work. However, prayer is not the mere asking God for this or that. [God is not the universal butler who responds to the whimsical beck & call of fallen man (if He were, there would be a problem)]. Prayer is asking God for things in accordance with His will. People who pray outside of God's will, need to ask themselves, if they are really praying in Biblical sense.
Problems with Miracles
1. Why haven't any of the miracles recorded in the Bible been independently confirmed?
-I'm not sure. Have you really done enough research to say there's nothing out there? However, I think the most important miracle--that of Jesus Christ's resurrection has some independent confirmation:
a. Matthew 28:15 tells of a story being circulated among the Jews "explaining away" the resurrection. I'm sure a careful checking of Jewish records, authorities, or rabbinic literature might confirm this. If Jewish records point to the same story as recorded in the Bible, we must conclude that something strange (perhaps supernatural) has happened since this cover-story is clearly fallacious. (Roman guards are professionals that don't fall asleep; the disciples can't move a several ton rock sealing the tomb; disciples can't move the rock without waking the guards; sleeping guards don't know what happens while they sleep, etc.).
b. If Jesus was not resurrected, why didn't the Jewish authorities of that time produce the real dead Jesus?
c. If Jesus was not resurrected, there should be adequate writings and records that dispute the testimony of the 500+ witnesses who saw Jesus after He died. Five hundred is a lot of people, and 500 people don't make up the same story or have the same hallucination!
d. Though I'm not 100% certain, I think there is a Roman record marking the execution of Jesus.
If the resurrection really did occur, something spectacular has happened in history, and every person must seriously consider the natural repercussions of it. Most importantly, everyone must come to grips with the claims Christ made about heaven, hell, sin, and salvation.
See this page for a refutation of the Resurrection.
Origin and Transmission of the Scriptures
1. Why is the authorship of most books of the Bible disputed? Why do many books of the Bible have no statement of authorship? Why are some books in the canon pseudepigraphical (lie about authorship)?
-Most of the authorship is disputed by liberal theologians. No doubt these are the ones also perpetrating the idea of pseudoepigraphy. I don't think their arguments are any more convincing then conservative theologians who say that there are no disputes. I guess it comes down to who you read and what you want to believe before you start researching.
2. Why did the early church not revere the scriptures as Christians do today, so that they added interpolations and made emendations?
-Where is your evidence for this claim? Actually, the Christians of that time had immense (and probably equal) respect for the Scriptures--I think Jesus' and Paul's and Peter's (among others) reference and arguing from the Scriptures shows this.
The Christian tampering with the Scriptures is evident from the large number of variant readings in the New Testament text. While most of these are obviously scribal mistakes, there are a few which seem to have been deliberately inserted. As an example, a number of later New Testament manuscripts change Mark 1:2 to read "As it is written in the prophets..." in order to get around the problem stated above, i.e. that Mark was not just quoting Isaiah.
I John 5:7 is a perfect example of a Christian interpolation made to support a later Church doctrine (in this case the Trinity). The verse has no early Greek manuscript support at all, and almost all newer English versions have dropped it.
3. Why hasn't the Bible been transmitted to us in perfect condition if it is so important and if God had his supernatural hand in it?
-Some argue that the Bible is perfect and has been perfectly transmitted.
There are literally hundred of thousands of textual variations between various copies of the Hebrew and Greek scriptures. In some cases, such as the book of Jeremiah, there are two very different versions of the entire book in existence, and there is no way to tell which is supposed to be authentic.
Biblical Values
1. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, why did God lie about what the outcome would be (Genesis 2:17), while the serpent told the truth (Genesis 3:5,22)?
-This is a serious misreading. [Forgive me, I mean no offense, but this type of question shows either ignorance or a lack of true effort on finding the truth. I suggest more time, prayer, and diligence in finding answers.] God did not lie about death, and we see this in two ways. In Genesis 3:19, God says "for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Plus, we see by our own experience and in Hebrews 9:27 that all men die. Contrastly, Satan lied twice. Obviously man dies, so Satan lied in Genesis 3:4. Second, Satan says that man will become as gods (or God) in Genesis 3:5. Since this did not happen either, Satan lied.
God said "...in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Adam lived nine-hundred plus years after eating the forbidden fruit.
2. Why are women treated as chattel and inferior to men throughout the Bible?
-This question, as well, should be more diligently researched since even I know the answer. Considering the cultural standard of the day, the Bible has actually lifted women from a place of inferiority to equality. Jesus talked to the woman at the well (not culturally acceptable); Jesus forgave the adulterous woman; Jesus taught men and women (Mary, who sat at His feet); Jesus condemned the Jewish idea of divorce (which allowed only men to divorce their wives for any reason); Paul says that women should (indeed must) learn in I Timothy 2:11; the testimony of women (for Christ's resurrection) is recorded in the Gospels (uncultural since women's testimony wasn't valid by Jewish law). There are probably more examples that I just don't know now.
If being "treated as chattel and inferior" refers to the passages in I Timothy 2 and Ephesians 5 where women are told to submit to their husbands, the answer is simple. Submission in no way degrades the person who submits. The most perfect example of this is Jesus Christ. In His death on the cross, God the Son (Jesus) completely submitted Himself to God the Father. Yet such submission in no way denigrated His deity or dignity.
The same is true for submissive wives where godly submission in no way transgresses the equality between woman and man.
10. Why is faith - believing something for which there is no evidence - a virtue?
-You're right that believing nothing is foolish. But the quality inherent to godly faith is not "that you are believing in nothing", but "that you are trusting in someone who is worthy of that trust". Godly faith is a virtue because of who you trust (God).
I remind you, also, that in the post-modern era, with no absolutes, the question of "why is faith a virtue?" must be followed by "why is murder wrong?", "why is kindness to a fellow man good?", "what's wrong with rape?", etc.. For the Christian, it is sufficient that God commends faith (and addresses those other issues as well).
11. Why is rational skepticism a vice? If Christianity is true, won't the truth hold up under scrutiny? Shouldn't the church welcome and promote rational skepticism as a way of confirming and spreading the faith when people see that it fails to undermine Christianity? Why isn't skeptical literature studied and refuted in Sunday School classes?
-Where in the Bible does it say that rational skepticism is a vice? It seems that the example of the Bereans in Acts 17 and Paul's advice in II Timothy 2:15 (among other incidents), give Biblical command and precedent to think and question things.
Jesus said to Thomas "...blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." This implies that blind faith is a virtue, and Thomas' skeptical approach is less than virtuous. Where do you think the phrase "doubting Thomas" comes from?
And, the truth of the Bible has held up to scrutiny. Forgive me again, but your scrutiny of the Bible doesn't seem very complete, fair, or thorough. I think more work on your part would vindicate the Bible of what it says. Till you yourself experience that, the only arguments I can show you are: what I have experienced (the Bible is true) and what the Bible says about itself (it is true, eg. II Timothy 3:15).
I think churches are careful about what sort of "skeptical literature" or rational skepticism they allow since many sources are incomplete or biased (as I think this document demonstrates). Plus, the duty of the church is more to teach what the Bible says rather than what other people think or say (because the words of God are more important than the words of man).
Churches discourage their members from skeptical literature for the very simple reason that they tend to lead to apostasy. If the truth of the Christian faith were so self-evident, there would be no need at all for such a discouragement. For example, how many Christian apologetic sites do you know of that contain links to specific rebuttals of their articles?
Arguments, philosophies, and questions will all disappear with time, but God's words "shall not pass away". All this is not to say that some churches don't use "skeptical literature", but why not teach just the Bible?
Biblical Guidance
2. Why does the New Testament teach by example that major decisions should be decided by lot (in Acts chapter 1 when Matthias is chosen)?
-Again, more research (in even a study Bible) would answer this question. The casting of lots was a God-approved method of discerning God's will in OT times. This practice stops, however, with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Note, the proximity of these things in Acts:
Chapter 1 --use of lots
Chapter 2 --coming of the Holy Spirit
after Chapter 2 --no more mention of lots
3. Why doesn't the Bible provide unambiguous guidance for major divisive issues like abortion, divorce, war, church discipline, lending and borrowing money, etc.? Doesn't God want the church to be united? Doesn't God want individual Christians to know how they should live?
-The Bible does address these issues either by principle or direct command. And indeed God does want us to know how to live, hence the verse (II Timothy 3:15): All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
-abortion--do not kill- Exodus 20:13
life starts at conception- Psalm 51:5, Luke 1:41
-divorce --Matthew 5:31-32
-church discipline --of elders- I Timothy 5:19-20
--of members- Matthew 18:15-17, I Timothy 2:20
Conflicts with science
4. How can it be that Psalm 16 and Romans 1 teach that the creation is a reliable means of knowing God ("natural theology"), but the scientific study of biological and geological origins contradicts the creation narrative in Genesis?
-Some advice on evolution:
-Science has got problems with its basic tenets (assumptions), credibility, and findings. Be very careful about simply accepting what the scientific community feeds you (if you don't, you'll be guilty of your own non-rational skepticism).
-Likewise be careful about the creation science stuff.
-Do some more reading on the philosophical and scientific problems with evolution.
-I think you may find that the scientific position on evolution is not quite as undamageable as you think, and that it is still (without any detriment to your mind) possible to believe in a literal creation.
The scientific position on evolution is now an established fact. That all life is descended from a common source is a fact supported by multiple lines of evidence, from paleontology to genetics. See this page for more information.
6. Why is God concerned about humans at all? We are less than a speck in the universe. Christianity has the hallmarks of being a religion made by humans for humans.
-One must wonder just how fair you are being with remarks like this.
Unbiblical and Inconsistent Practices of the Church
1. Why does the church worship on Sunday, when the seventh day was established forever? There is no biblical support for Sunday worship; it is a tradition of the Catholic Church which Protestants accept.
-I believe Romans 14:5-6 makes this question irrelevant. I hope that people who call themselves Christians worship God everyday--not just Sunday!
4. Why does the modern evangelical church embrace the extra-biblical doctrines of "having a personal relationship with Christ," having a "quiet time," "journaling," and the necessity of belonging to an "accountability group?" Doesn't the church understand its own religion? Why is it caught up in pop-religion? If these are not really doctrines of the church, then why is there social pressure to conform?
-"A personal relationship with Christ" means accepting Christ by faith which is entirely Biblical. This phrase is used probably to distinguish true Christians from those who are simply religious (eg. those who go to church but have no personal relationship).
Quiet time, journaling, and accountability groups are not required for salvation. I contend with any church that says otherwise (and I find it hard to believe that conservative evangelicals would). For undue social pressure you feel, I suggest the following which may be true for you.
Social pressure may be the result of incorrect church practices which though not endorsed, may be still occur because Christians are sinful. Social pressure may not be social pressure at all--it may the Holy Spirit's conviction for you to do something. Social pressure may be due to a weakness in yourself that feels a need to conform, but not something problematic with the church.
Being caught up in pop-religion is unbiblical. There are many within and without evangelicalism that are condemning this. I'm sorry you were involved in a church that hasn't realized its unbiblical practices.
5. Why does the church teach tithing for Christians, when it is only commanded of Old Testament Israel? Why didn't Paul teach tithing to the New Testament church when he had the opportunity to (2 Corinthians 9)?
-Tithing is optional. There is no NT Biblical requirement to do as such (you're right). If your church has taught otherwise, they are wrong.
3. Why are the church's day-to-day practices guided by cultural norms rather than by the perfect, absolute, unchangeable norms of God and the Bible? For example, why do churches separate children from their families and age-grade them like the schools, why does the church propagate self-help ideology when the message of the Bible is dependence upon God, why does the church accept and participate in competition where it has rejected it in the past, why has the service of women in the church been addressed only after secular culture has addressed women's issues, why does the style of music in the church and church architecture follow cultural patterns instead of defining cultural patterns?
-Many argue (and apparently you have not heard them), that such practices by the church are unbiblical. You should look around and find out what more conservative people say.
Character of the Church
1. Why has the church done so little good and so much harm in 2000 years, while science has demonstrated remarkable progress in only 500 years? Why is the period when the church dominated western history universally referred to as the Dark Ages, while the period of breaking away from church dogma is called the Enlightenment?
-I think your arguments stem from a secular world view of the church rather than an objective study and critique of actual history.
Conclusion
1. Why hasn't the church answered any of these questions in the 23 years I have been a part of it?
-You haven't searched hard enough, despite claims to the contrary.
2. Why hasn't the church answered any of these questions in 2000 years?
-It has, but you haven't looked for it or refused to see it.
Of course, none of this is written by jest, insult, or bitterness. Honestly, your questions are good (any many Christians and non-Christians have them). But, from these questions, you show an obvious lack of effort to search for the truth. I am always available to talk on these issues (though I don't have all the answers) or on how you can be saved (yes, it's still possible).
The Nazarene: the Worst Sinner of Them All
Christians believe the Nazarene to be perfect, a peaceful, loving, healing, and understanding being. Most are too lazy to read the facts. The bible may be the most purchased book, but it is the least read.
The Nazarene was slothful, indolent and lazy. He never worked like everyone else. He freeloaded and lived off the work and labors of others. He was a rude and inappreciative guest who often insulted his hosts. He STOLE and ordered others to do so. He condoned and advocated MURDER. He is one of the worst hypocrites who ever existed.
The Seven Deadly Sins:
Pride The Nazarene was a very arrogant, selfish and conceited individual. His overwhelming sense of negative pride and self exhaltation was seen in many of the scriptures:
He was arrogant enough to insult his host and leave her with the burden of work while he hogged all of the attention, indicating an extreme sense of self importance:
Luke 10: 38-42 38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Anyone who does not love him more than their own parents is not worthy of him. What happened to honor thy father and mother? Here, the Nazarene is placing himself above the family members of his followers, AGAIN, indicating pride and extreme arrogance:
Matthew 10: 37 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. This is also the sin of ENVY- he is so jealous of anyone who might share their love for another.
The pleasure of being massaged with expensive ointment was more important than selling the ointment and giving the money to the poor.
Mark 14: 3-7 3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard, very precious, and she brake the box and poured it on his head. 4 And there were some who had indignation within themselves and said, “Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor.” And they murmured against her. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why trouble ye her? She hath wrought a good work on me. 7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will, ye may do them good; but me ye have not always.
The Nazarene calls other human beings "dogs" and "swine," indicating they are way beneath him:
Matthew 7: 6 6 "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."
He stated he was "greater" then Jonas and Solomon:
Matthew 12: 41-42 41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. 42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Envy The Nazarene was so envious of any devotion or affections shown for anyone other than himself, even close family members, he demanded that his disciples leave their families behind.
Luke 9: 59-62 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
There are many more scriptures that blatantly expose the envious resentful character of the Nazarene. These are indicated in this article.
Wrath Because of an excessive sense of pride, exaggerated self importance, arrogance and an overwhelming belief of being first and being entitled, the Nazarene was often subject to the sin of wrath:
Matt: 11: 20-24 20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
The Nazarene is forever condemning, insulting and threatening others:
Matt. 23:33 33 "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"
Mark 3: 5 5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, "Stretch forth thine hand."
John 2: 15 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables
In the above verse, the Nazarene is condemning money making in the temple and greed, but by his actions and demands, the Nazarene is the greediest of them all.
The Nazarene makes it plain he comes to bring war on earth and conflict, hatred and enmity among family members; breaking up the family unit and home: Matthew 10: 34-36 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father and the daughter against her mother and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
He showed impatience and upset by the presence of a father who's child could not speak, that petitioned him for help. His personal time and energy were more important than spending a few seconds to help a small child who was handicapped. He also insulted his disciples and those around him who he spoke to in reply to the asking for help.
Mark 9: 19 19 “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”
Greed The Nazarene's distaste for labor was highly impractical. Because he lived off of the charity of others, there were times when charity couldn’t satisfy his needs, so he STOLE.
On the Sabbath, he and his disciples helped themselves to a farmer’s corn. When asked why he violated the law by eating on the Sabbath, he justified stealing by calling himself "lord of the Sabbath."
Luke 6: 1-5 1 And it came to pass on the second Sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. 2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath days? 3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungered, and they which were with him; 4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? 5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.
The Nazarene's sloth and greed often led to more theft: He sent two disciples to steal an ass and a colt. He had no consideration as to whether taking the animals for himself would place any hardship upon whom he stole them from. Here, in addition to the act of stealing, the Nazarene does not have the nerve to go and steal these animals himself, he orders others to do so.
Luke 19: 29-35 29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him. 35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
Sloth The Nazarene has always been known for his hatred of physical labor. The Nazarene also hated washing and bathing: Here, the Nazarene encourages not washing:
Matt. 15: 1-20 1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Mark 7: 1-9 1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Also, the stretch in the desert speaks for itself. (Matthew 4: 1-2)
Gluttony Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires. Although the Nazarene preached abstinence, he did not intend this for himself. He gets defensive about complaints directed at him and his followers who are always seen eating and drinking.
Luke 5:33-34 33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? 34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
He was known as a glutton and a drunkard.
Luke 7:34 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
The Nazarene was wrathful when his sources for free meals were not readily available. w. Once he cursed a fig tree for not having any fruit. The tree died.
Mark 11:12-14, 20-22 12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. 20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
Lust Lust is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body. The Nazarene preached celibacy for his followers, but being the hypocrite that he is, he did not apply these teachings to himself. Both men* and women put out sexual favors for him as did others in the way of food, shelter and other needs.
Luke 8:1-3 1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
- There are deleted passages in the gospel of Mark. The Nazarene had intercourse with one of his disciples while the others slept in the garden before his crucifixion.
The Nazarene advocated and encouraged MURDER for selfish reasons:
Luke 19: 27 27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
The Nazarene not only ADVOCATED SLAVERY, but encouraged and condoned the abuse of slaves:
Luke 12: 47 47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
In addition to the sermon on the mount being ant-life and against nature (artificial), the Nazarene's actions speak much louder than his words and reveal his true nature- that of a big hypocrite:
Matthew 5 1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The Nazarene was ANYTHING but "poor in spirit." He was arrogant, self righteous and always put his own needs and desires before that of others.
Luke 10: 38-42 Matthew 10: 37 (see above scriptures)
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 8:21-22 21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. "Meek" means "humble." Read the above paragraph of scriptures revealing the Nazarene's pride and arrogance.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
The Nazarene openly advocated and encouraged chaos and lawlessness. These unethical, suicidal, anti-life teachings have worked to undermine and destroy legal systems, resulting in the punishing of the victim, while criminals are rewarded and encouraged in their behavior. The end result is the collapse of civilization. Any species that fails to defend itself will end up extinct. If the human body ignored the germs, bacteria, and viruses that invaded it, nearly all people would be dead in less than a day. These teachings are anti-life and designed to destroy human lives.
Matthew 5: 38-44 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. The Nazarene was anything but "merciful." He is forever condemning, threatening and damning people.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
The Nazarene was anything but "pure of heart."
He LIED:
John 5: 31 31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
The Nazarene told his disciples that they would not die before his second coming:
Matthew 16: 28 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Revelation 3: 11 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
He STOLE:
Luke 19: 29-35 Luke 6: 1-5 (see above)
He ADVOCATED and ENCOURAGED MURDER on a whim:
Luke 19: 27 (see above)
He was one of the worst hypocrites that ever lived.
Matthew 5: 19 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 10: 34-36 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father and the daughter against her mother and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The Nazarene condemns righteousness and works against it- see the other scriptures on this page.
Matthew 5: 11 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
This is blatant of the Nazarene's hatred of humanity.
The Nazarene preached self mutilation:
Matthew 19: 12 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
A "eunuch" is a castrated male; in other words, a male with his balls cut off. The Catholic Church routinely castrated young choirboys in order to prevent their voices from changing.
Matthew 5: 29-30 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
The Nazarene's CRUELTY TO ANIMALS:
Matthew 8: 30-32 30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
No individual in history has been provided with more excuses. Twisting, warping, distorting and outright lying of what this entity taught and did is commonplace among those who are deluded, sympathetic and/or just plain stupid.
Many argue that this entity never existed and/or is unimportant. People who maintain these opinions are as deluded and foolish as those who believe the Nazarene was a righteous individual. Whether or not this entity physically existed is irrelevant. The effects this creature had upon humanity has permeated every aspect of the society in which most of us live. There are millions and millions who worship this creature and promote him at every level relentlessly. The impact this entity has had upon humanity is horrendous. Nearly every war there has been has been fought for RHP religious purposes. Millions and millions have severe psychological disorders and hang-ups, which prevent them from living a healthy normal life.
The sorry list of crimes against humanity perpetrated because of this individual goes on and on.
It does not matter whether the entity is a myth or physically and historically existed. The entity is a reality through all of the major injustices and workings of which have held us ALL back for centuries and must be destroyed. Those who take a stand for personal liberty and freedom are incessantly battling Christians in the courts as they relentlessly and obsessively work to deprive every last man, woman and child of their freedom and their lives.
