Before getting too far into this subject, it is necessary to consider whether it is appropriate to use the word man to refer to the entire human race (as is the title of this weeks’ blog). Some people today object to ever using the word “man” to refer to the human race in general. Those …
Satan and demons: Our relationship to them
As we close out our discussion about Satan and demons, we will discuss how this fits into our world today. Some people, influenced by a naturalistic worldview that only admits the reality of what can be seen or touched or heard, deny that demons exist today and maintain that belief in their reality reflects an …
Continue reading "Satan and demons: Our relationship to them"
Thanksgiving
Separated from friends, unjustly accused, brutally treated—if ever a person had a right to complain, it was this man, languishing almost forgotten in a harsh Roman prison. But instead of complaints, his lips rang with words of praise and thanksgiving! This man was the Apostle Paul—a man who had learned the meaning of true thanksgiving, …
Satan and demons: Spiritual warfare
Last week was a discussion of Angels, so this leads naturally into a discussion about Satan and demons, since they are evil angels who once were like good angels but who sinned and lost their privilege of serving God. Like angels, they were also created, spiritual beings with moral judgement and high intelligence but …
Angels
We will begin by defining angels as follows: Angels are created, spiritual beings with moral judgement and high intelligence, but without physical bodies. Angels have not always existed; they are part of the universe that God created. In a passage that refers to angels as the “host” of heaven, Ezra says, “you are the LORD, …
Prayer: Becoming more effective. Part 2 of 2
Last week we talked about how our prayer is a personal communication to God. The week let’s discuss how we can make our prayers more effective. Scripture indicates a number of considerations that need to be taken into account if we would offer the kind of prayer that God desires from us. (1) Praying according …
Continue reading "Prayer: Becoming more effective. Part 2 of 2"
Prayer: A personal communication with God. Part 1 of 2
Prayer is not something we do so that God can find out what we need, because Jesus tells us “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). God wants us to pray because prayer expresses our trust in God and is a means whereby our trust in him can increase. In …
Continue reading "Prayer: A personal communication with God. Part 1 of 2"
Miracles: Can they happen today?
Last week, we discussed that God exercises an extensive, ongoing, sovereign control over all aspects of his creation. With this understanding we can build on this knowledge and approach the question of miracles. We will define a miracle as follows: A miracle is a less common kind of God’s activity in which he arouses people’s …
If God controls all things, how can our actions have real meaning?
After spending the last two weeks discussing that God is the all-powerful Creator, it seems logical to conclude that he also preserves and governs everything in the universe as well. Even though the word providence is not found in Scripture, it has been traditionally used to summarize God’s ongoing relationship in his creation. When we …
Continue reading "If God controls all things, how can our actions have real meaning?"
Creation: Why, how and when? Part 2 of 2
At various time in history, Christians have found themselves dissenting from the accepted findings of contemporary science. In the vast majority of cases, sincere Christian faith and strong trust in the Bible have led scientists to the discovery of new facts about God’s universe, and these discoveries have changed scientific opinion for all subsequent history. …