Navigating the perils of polarization by Torben Bergland
Torben Bergland, M.D., is a psychiatrist and an associate director of the General Conference Health Ministries Department.
“I just want to be an ordinary person!” Those were the emphatic words of my four-year-old niece. We, her uncles, a theologian and a medical doctor, were asking about her aspirations. We were stunned. Don’t you want to be something special, exceptional, best at something? Shouldn’t you at least try to be better than your peers? Just ordinary—that’s so devoid of narcissism!
Extremism becoming mainstream
Dear niece, our world seems to be moving away from the ordinary fast. Polarization is everywhere, especially in politics and religion, at a baffling speed and intensity. Moderates who used to contribute stability through willingness to dialog, negotiate, and compromise responsibly and respectfully, are becoming rare. What used to be fringe and extreme is becoming mainstream with strong opposing currents to be swept up by carrying us away from one another. So far that though we occupy the same space, we are not living in the same reality.
Becoming an extremist may sound like something that requires intentionality and hard work, but it comes rather naturally. Many effortlessly drift into extremism, and when caught up in a current, it may take them very far. As they drift away and any opposing current weakens, they typically become more dedicated and zealous. The purer and more undiluted your current is, the faster and deeper you’ll be carried into extremism. Staying out of extremism is what requires intentionality and effort!
What extremists are
There are many kinds of extremists, but they are surprisingly similar. They may differ wildly in their beliefs and practices, but how they feel, think, operate, and relate to others and their needs and motivations, are much the same. Beneath the surface, you’ll often find a desire to affirm a sense of superiority or escape from a sense of inferiority. These are typical manifestations of narcissism.
Extremists do not recognize how ordinary we all are and that we can have community despite our differences. They typically see others as inferior to themselves and diversity as a threat to their existence.
Life as an extremist
Becoming an extremist is easy, but living as one is hard. They so narrowly define how everybody should think and act that nobody is capable of complying perfectly. In the discrepancy between what they proclaim, pretend to be, and what they indeed are, there is worry and stress about being found out and lying to themselves and others to cover up the gap. They partially deny any guilt and shame they feel for being “fake.” The rest they project on others. They may consistently, without evidence, accuse others especially the ones they define as enemies, of the “sins” they themselves are guilty of. When encountering an extremist obsessed about some sin or fault in others, I wonder what they themselves are fighting or covering up. Though they are typically critical and harsh toward anyone, they are sometimes incredibly tolerant of evils committed by their allies.
Dear niece, as you probably have realized by now, psychologically, morally, and relationally, the lives of extremists are quite messy. Being “ordinary” is the best way to go if you want peace, happiness, and genuine love.
Becoming an extremist is easy, but living as one is hard.
Torben Bergland
Extremism Self-Test
If you want to see how you “extreme” you are, try the extremism self-test.
Use it to see how you measure up. These are the attitudes, convictions, and behaviors you need to cultivate if you are going to become a genuine extremist. Remember, supremacy is what you’re really after. The ideology is secondary, a means to gain and portray supremacy. With extremists, sometimes the only visible ideology is “Self.” But, of course, you should make it appear as if ideology is what it’s all about. That was Lucifer’s strategy in heaven, and it still works surprisingly well.
You should start with the characteristics listed first and then build step by step. Unless you have laid a firm foundation by taking the initial steps toward extremism, you probably won’t master the advanced ones. But, as I’ve said already, many of these traits come quite naturally to us as human beings. The more you have of them, the easier it will be to develop the others.
Extremism Self-Test*
Yes
No
Us-versus-Them Mentality: Do you often think in terms of “us” (people who are like you and share your beliefs) versus “them” (people who are unlike you and do not share your beliefs)?
Recruitment: Are you actively seeking to spread your views, beliefs, and practices with the intent of making others adopt them?
Certainty: Do you prefer clarity over nuance, quickly form firm opinions and beliefs about most things in life, and feel confident about categorizing them as either good or bad, right or wrong?
Confirmation bias: Do you primarily get information from sources that support and reinforce your beliefs, or those of your group?
Dogmatism: Do you believe your views and beliefs, or those of your group, are absolutely and unquestionably true?
Isolationism: Do you avoid and dissuade interacting with or listening to people or sources who have different beliefs and practices than you or your group?
Supremacy Thinking: Do you believe you or your group are better than others because of what you are, do, or believe?
Enemy Identification: Do you have a clear understanding of who inside or outside your group you can trust, and who is a threat against your interests, beliefs, and existence?
Conspiracy Mindset: Do you believe certain people, groups, or institutions are secretly and maliciously plotting against you, your group, or others?
Propaganda: Do you strategically disseminate information about you and your group with the intent of promoting your interests rather than accurately and truthfully representing a nuanced reality?
Obscurantism: Do you ignore, dismiss, hide, or attack information that refutes your beliefs or critiques your actions?
Dehumanization: Do you consider those who differ significantly from you or your group to be of inferior ability and worth, or inherently evil?
Gaslighting: Do you strategically seek to make people distrust their senses, reason, and memories if these contradict the version of reality you prefer them to have and believe in?
Authoritarianism: If you have the power, are you willing to impose your will against the interests and freedoms of those who differ significantly from you in traits, beliefs, or practices?
Scoring (total)
Interpretation 2 or less “Yes”: Low risk; likely to tolerate diverse viewpoints and perspectives. 3-4 “Yes”: Moderate risk; consider reflecting on the balance and openness in your beliefs and interactions. 5-7 “Yes”: High risk; significant potential for extremist tendencies. Reflect deeply and consider seeking diverse perspectives or professional guidance. 8 or more “Yes”: Very high risk; strong indications of extremist thinking. It is crucial to seek professional help and engage with a broader range of viewpoints.
What extremism leads to
History teaches us of the outcomes of extremism. Extremists, political or religious, grow fruits on the same old tree. Ultimately, they rot as they ripen. What Paul called “works of the flesh” (Gal 5:19 ESV) are commonly seen in extremists: “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (Gal 5:19-21 ESV). Since there are many kinds of extremists, you’re unlikely to find every sin represented in every extremist, but as it ripens, extremism seldom fails to reveal its sins. Jesus said that “a bad tree bears bad fruit … nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (Matt 7:17-18 NKJV). If the fruits are bad, we know that the tree is bad.
What being ordinary leads to
Dear niece, if you stick to being ordinary and stay humble and honest, the Spirit may be with and in you. Then, your fruits will grow on a different tree. In Galatians, Paul listed the fruits from the Spirit’s tree: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22-23 ESV). I’m joyful as I see these good fruits growing in your life more than a decade after that “I just want to be an ordinary person”-conversation.
Prevention of extremism
And, dear reader, if you have lost your appetite for extremism and want to prevent it in yourself and your group, then listen to the counsel of the Spirit: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Phil 2:3 NKJV). What Paul urges here opposes any extremist’s supremacy mindset. There is no supremacy of gender, race, nation, religion, or anything. One human being is never entitled to assert supremacy over another.
Christ came as the servant of all, not the ruler. When the disciples argued about who was the greatest, He rebuked them, saying: “Yet I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:27 NKJV). He who was above us took a position below us so He could be with us as one of us. That was the incarnation. “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (Phil 2:5-7 NLT).
How different from Lucifer, who said, “I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High” (Isa 14:13 NLT). But the fate of the devil will be the fate of every supremacist: “Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths” (Isa 14:14 NLT).
If you want to be an extremist, be like the devil. If you want to be like Christ, let extremism be far from you. Before God, we are all the same. There is no one or nothing supreme except God; therefore, there’s no justification for extremism.
*This self-test has been peer-reviewed but has not been scientifically validated.
A well-meaning Christian who feels the urgency of the times said,
“We need to be prepared for the end of time.”
An elderly man responded,
“I am prepared.”
This puzzled her. How could he say this? Didn’t he need to start storing food and weapons, get more righteous, keep the law better, go to church more, etc.?
He explained,
“I am prepared, first because of the goodness and grace of God, who wants me to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). It all started when He brought conviction of sin upon me through the Holy Spirit and led me to confess and turn away from a life of sin. His death on the cross for my sins made it clear the penalty for my sins was paid for (Revelation 1:5). I surrendered to the urging of God’s spirit and gave Him my life to be directed by Him (John 16:8). In return, He gave me His righteousness, and I found peace and trust in Him (Isaiah 26:3). I was born again (John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:23). I began to think differently and to follow Him (Romans 12:2 NLT). I wanted to learn more about Him and to know Him better (John 17:3, Matthew 11:30. I obey because I want to honor and love Him, not because I have to do it (John 14: 15, John 14: 21). I know Jesus and put all my trust in Him; I am prepared in Him! Anyway, I may not live to see Jesus come. I could die in the next moment, but I am prepared in Him alone. Have I reached perfection of character? No! It is not required that I reach a state of perfection through my efforts. I wear His righteousness by faith (trust) in Jesus alone. Because of Him, I am perfect by His perfection.”
There are those who believe they must attain perfection of character before claiming salvation. I find this belief saddening. They have yet to experience the profound joy and peace that comes from resting in the assurance of God’s work to free us from sin.
______________________________________
Today, most of Christ’s followers know that we live in the days before His return. He has promised to come back (John 14: 1-3), and His word is trustworthy (Titus 1: 1-3, John 17:17). Moreover, the Apostles, Disciples, and Prophets have prophesied about that glorious day when He will return to Earth visibly and powerfully, and all of heaven will be emptied to come to this earth (Matthew 25: 31, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 1:7). This momentous event will mark the end of sin and death for eternity.
He will resurrect the saved of all ages and give all who are “in Him” eternal life (1 Corinthians 15: 50-55 (NLT)1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18. ). Many put a lot of emphasis on the last days and the events surrounding them. It is exciting to learn the details of the prophecies, as long as it is of no private interpretation or embellished (2 Peter 1: 19-21). I am thankful that I belong to a body of believers who do not think they are the only denomination to be saved. We are all “one” in Christ, no matter what church we attend (1 Corinthians 12:12). Jesus came to save individuals, not herds who follow a set of creeds or documented sets of beliefs that a person must confess to become a member of an organization.
Let us be clear: there is only one path to salvation: through Christ alone (Acts 4:12). Not a denomination, not physical preparation, acts of good deeds, or religious forms and ceremonies. His life, teachings, death, resurrection, and ongoing ministry to us on Earth through the Holy Spirit all bear witness to the fact that we are saved from eternal destruction (Romans 8:16). We have the privilege of knowing we have eternal life . (1 John 5:13).
It is not through our works or some diluted grace that allows a person to claim Jesus but to go on living a life of sin (Matthew 7: 21-23 NLT). I am confident that many who know Christ in other churches will concur that the shed blood of Jesus is our sole assurance of salvation in Christ alone, not through any works or achievements in our spiritual journey (Ephesians 2: 8-10).
When we are born again, we are born from the inside out, not through our efforts to clean up the outside and become acceptable to God (Matthew 23:25). We sing about God accepting us just as we are. Jesus died for us when we were still in our sins (Romans 5:8). God slowly changed us so that we now hate the sins we once loved and love the good things we once hated. But Jesus told the highly respected religious leader you must be born again to receive eternal life and be changed (John 3:3). We need a new starting point. When this happens by the act of the Holy Spirit, our journey with Jesus begins not when we graduate from our religious schools.
The chart below helped me understand this journey. It includes the possibility of turning from Jesus and returning to a life of sin. This happened to me, but God would not leave me. I returned, but some of my brothers did not (2 Peter 2: 20-22, Luke 11: 24-26).
The picture is divided by a line. The top part is salvation, and the bottom is a condition the Bible calls lost.
The squiggly line represents our life journey, full of ups and downs. Even after we are born again, we are guaranteed troubles, doubts, and challenges.
On the left is our start. We are all born as sinners because we come from a long line of sinners.
As life continues, we live lost lives due to heredity and bad choices. We are selfish. As the popular song goes…”We are born this way!”
But, because of God’s love for us and His amazing grace, God draws us to Him with His kindness. We learn of Him and hear the good news about salvation. We become convicted about our sins and realize we can do nothing without Him.
We surrender to God’s pull towards Him, confess that we are sinners, and repent (turn away from sin to God). We invite Him to control our lives. Then, we are baptized as our first act of following God’s word and obedience. We are saved from the wages of sin that cause death! The baptism doesn’t save us. We are saved before we go down in the water. Our baptism is the public display of an inward experience in Christ.
Our lives are his workmanship. He molds and shapes us through life experiences. A preponderance of our life’s journey reveals evidence of Christ in our lives.
We can, however, become discouraged and leave God if we choose to. God never interferes with our choices, and we may even return to the life we died to. We are lost again.
But greater is God than the sin we are living. We can get tired of sin, realize what we have done, and return to Him like the prodigal son. We doubt the Father will take us back, but we are surprised that He comes running to us and throws a party! (Luke 15: 11-32 NLT). God will forgive us 70 X 7 (Matthew 28: 21-22 NLT).
Our second time around makes us even stronger.
Even though we may have never become completely like Christ, ultimately, we have His righteousness, which gives us title to eternity and the city of God.
Salvation and preparation are found only in Jesus, who leads you on your journey. We have eternity to contemplate the sacrifice of the Heavenly Trio and continue to experience sanctification.
1.) The disciples were gathered on the first day of the week behind closed doors for fear of the Jews. They were not together to worship a risen Savior. It would be later that evening before Jesus appeared to them. Jesus would give them a Scripture study that told of the prophecies about Himself. Thomas wouldn’t see Jesus for eight more days. Then he would believe with the others.
3.) Jesus would stay on the earth, teaching the disciples and Apostles, for forty days before ascending to the Father, promising He would return “in like manner.”
5.) Our entire faith rests on Jesus rising from the dead. If He didn’t, we are still in our sins, our faith in Jesus is futile, and all our friends and family who were believers have perished. Also, it would mean all the eyewitnesses are liars.
6.) Paul tells us that we are not to mourn for those who die in the Lord as those who mourn and have no hope. Hope in the coming of the Lord and our resurrection.
7.) Our comfort concerning those who have died and slept in the Lord is that Jesus will come again with the shout of the Archangel, and they will rise from the grave. If we are alive, then we will meet the Lord in the air. It is then we will be with the Lord forever. He will take us to where He is now (Heaven, aka Paradise). It is these words that should comfort us and other believers.
Paul’s greatest desire was to know the power of the resurrection and to experience it. Is that your desire, too? You can ask the Lord to come into your life if it is. Then follow Him wherever He leads you. You, too, can experience the resurrection when you fall asleep in Christ.
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another, I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. Isaiah 46:9
The God (Jehovah), who claims to have created everything, claims exclusivity. He says there is “none like me.” But others make the same claim. How can we know the truth about the real God with so many choices? Can there be many gods?
Elijah gave the people a choice between a false god and a true God:
“How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. 1 Kings 18:21
Most of the people of Elijah’s time were on the side of the prophets of Baal. It is an exciting story to see how proof was provided to those who were deceived by the hierarchy of religion to believe in a non-existent god. The story is recorded in 1 Kings 18: 1-40.
Anyone can claim to be God. Anyone can claim to “know the truth,” even non-believers, i.e., Atheists. Agnostics may say, “There is no such thing as truth,” or “Truth is whatever you want it to be.” “You have your truth, and I have mine.” These phrases are an easy, neat, clean set of words that are opinions without any meaning or proof. They have no basis in reality and are lazy world views. Reality states that a truth is true whether we like it or not. The law of non-contradiction states that two opposing claims cannot both be true.
The World of Gods.
In this section, we will explore the world of gods, those claiming to be gods, and those claiming to have the truth. Our objective is to ask the real God to stand up and give us some reason to believe he is the real God.
This is such a massive topic. This is by no means an exhaustive study. Nevertheless, I want to ensure that facts are carefully explored with proper and fair use of resources. So, hang on, here we go. Let’s start by asking quantitative questions: How many gods exist worldwide? How many religions? How many groups claim to have the truth? This will give us the scope of all this.
Below is a ranked listing of the major religions and the estimated number of followers according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
I am including Atheists as a religion. Like some religions listed below, they do not believe in any god but have a belief system and faith in their philosophy and worldview. Like many churches, Atheists are Evangelical. They often try to proselytize others through campaigns, books, meetings, merchandise, social media, etc. They claim to know the truth!
The less biased researches regarding the number of Atheists vary, but several sources put the number at about 1. 4 million or 2% of the population worldwide. It is very complex to identify an unbeliever or an Atheist, but even the higher numbers put them at a low percentage of the world’s population. Based on these numbers, they would rank about #17 on the list below.
World Religions and Approximate Number of Followers:
Christianity: 2.1 billion
Islam: 1.3 billion
Hinduism: 900 million
Chinese traditional religion: 394 million
Buddhism: 376 million
African Traditional & Diasporic: 100 million
Sikhism: 23 million
Juche: 19 million
Spiritism: 15 million
Judaism: 14 million
Baha’i: 7 million
Jainism: 4.2 million
Shinto: 4 million
Cao Dai: 4 million
Zoroastrianism: 2.6 million
Tenrikyo: 2 million
Atheists: 1.4 million
Neo-Paganism: 1 million
Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand
Rastafarianism: 600 thousand
Scientology: 500 thousand
Within each religion are thousands of “denominations,” “factions,” or “sects.”
World Christian Encyclopedia estimates there are 33,000 Christian denominations alone! (World Christian Encyclopedia by Barrett, Kurian, Johnson Oxford Univ Press, 2nd edition, 2001).
In the Christian world, there is a split between the Roman Catholic church and those churches that “protested” against the tradition and misuse of the Bible and power.
The Atheists like to use these numbers as “proof” that “God is imaginary.” The inference is that if God were real, there would be only one religion and one truth. In a perfect world without any enemies, this might be so. I must admit that all their claims about God and truth are difficult arguments to address if it weren’t for the Bible.
Other arguments by unbelievers start with the same type of reasoning. “If” God were real, why is there so much suffering in the world? “If” God is real, why are there so many wars and death? Again, the implication is that God would not allow any suffering or death at all, and again, this is a difficult question to answer. But there is an answer.
We have a couple of options to address such difficult questions. We can put our heads in the sand and enjoy life as it comes to us and be placed in our graves after our time on earth. Such is the philosophy and the battle cry of the Atheist, “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” This attitude was that of the rich fool Jesus described in Luke 12: 13-21 parable.
And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now, take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ Luke 12 19
The more aggressive evangelical atheist tries to convince others that because mankind is in such an emotional need of a higher power, they create God in their own image. Their fervent dedication to atheism is to destroy religion, which they see as harmful to society. Indeed, they have a good case as you consider the many wars, death, and destruction caused by “religion.” Many believers are confused by the terror on this earth, but I am not sure embracing their philosophy would make the world a better place and stop war. To them, the concept of God is a crutch for the weak-minded. It is about men controlling other men and wealth. It appears to make sense. Their formula for the existence of life and purpose is simple:
No one + nothing = everything (Evolution), which means:
No god + no purpose = no meaning to life (Enjoy while you can.)
After many years on this earth and many experiences, I have discovered that people with no answers can make themselves look intelligent by asking questions without easy answers.
Example: A young man doesn’t know why the country fell into a recession, so he asks, “Is this really a recession? Has the government manipulated the numbers for political reasons?” These types of questions bring doubt and no real answers. It only adds to the confusion.
Just as Atheists don’t have an answer for the many religions, their question brings doubt about the reality of a Creator God, but no real answers or proof of the “no-God” theory. They only have circumstantial evidence with their twist on its interpretation. But the same is true for the believer.
Undoubtedly, there is an element of deception in religion and philosophy. However, the atheist believes all religions are false and have deceived all men. But what if one of these gods is the real God, and how would you know? This is what we will explore.
A scientific approach to discovering the real God would be to seek evidence and the claims of those claiming to be gods. Then, interview them and their followers to see if the real God is there. But what criteria would you use to determine who is true and who is false? What would be your basis for truth? We need to consider this in our search.
There was a popular TV show back in the 60’s called To Tell the Truth. Three contestants would be introduced, and all three would claim to be a particular person who had performed some unusual feat. For example, the show would start with all three contestants saying, “Hello, my name is John Smith; I swam the English Channel with my hands tied behind my back.”
The celebrity panel of four would ask each contestant questions, observe their body type (typically, swimmers are athletic-looking), and evaluate their answers. The contestants’ motivation was to deceive the four celebrities. The more celebrities who guessed incorrectly meant more money for the contestants. Of course, they had to lie or make up an answer sometimes. However, the real John Smith could not lie.
When the celebrities were finished asking questions, they would vote on who they thought was the real John Smith based on the contestant’s answers to questions and their physical appearance. Sometimes, it was unanimous; other times, the votes were split. After all the questioning, the moment would come when the Emcee would ask,
“Would the real John Smith please stand up?”
Imagine the celebrities’ surprise when the best-lying contestants deceived them! This was a lot of fun, but it has a simple basis for answering our question about the real God.
First, if we want to know the truth about God, we must be willing to ask questions and seek answers rather than just guessing without some basis. Many people don’t want to know the truth or have no motivation to pursue it. They are comfortable with their head in the sand.
Is it possible that the real God wants us to know the truth?
In our search, are we willing to accept things that cut across our philosophy, set of beliefs, or worldview? This is important. Otherwise, we can mutate into close-mindedness or dogmatism. We can feel we know everything and nothing new can be learned. I know people like this in the church. They know and understand the doctrines…maybe they could even recite the entire Bible, but the abstract thinking and the more profound appreciation for God are overlooked by knowledge. As Paul said it this way,
“…always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3: 7
A good place to start is to examine the claims of each god. As mentioned above, a few religions have leaders who do not claim to be gods but instead promote a particular philosophy about living and life. Philosophies are highly subjective. Many are nice-sounding words, but examining and testing for truth would be challenging.
Let’s try to start with the claims of each god or philosophy. We would need to study the answers to our common questions and compare them. Also, we would need to see if they have done anything that would demonstrate god-like qualities or evidence of truth.
We must be willing to submit to the idea that some liars in the group have a hidden agenda for their followers. There is truth, and there is error. We will talk a little about absolute truth later.
Perhaps only one is telling the truth. But keep in mind the law of non-contradiction. Two who contradict each other can’t both be right. The claim that all are right and there are many paths to eternity cannot be correct because of the contradiction of the claims on how to get there. Of course, the atheists take the simple way out and claim all are liars, a very lazy, snobbish way of thinking.
Many unbelievers would also ask, “Why is there a need to do such a complicated, time-consuming search?” Why doesn’t God just show up at the World Cup Soccer matches and say,
“Hello everyone! I am the real God, and to prove it, I will predict the winner, the score, and other facts you can’t possibly know.” Even this would not convince many because they would claim mind manipulation. One of my friends pointed to the deception in the last days by the beast of Revelation 13. So how does someone become convinced they are following the real God?
Let’s take the “To-Tell-The-Truth approach to finding the real God. The question as to “why” a search is needed is again typical of the person who has no answers and is not willing to do honest research or keep an open mind. So, they ask difficult questions without easy answers to bring doubt and get the seeker off course because they are trying to protect their philosophy. So, for now, we will ignore those types of questions.
Why are people a member of a particular religion or denomination?
Could we assume that people in these different religions are of that faith because they studied and selected that religion due to their research or because they were born into it?
If you are born in the Middle East, you will likely be Islamic. If you are born in the southern states of the US, you are likely to be a Protestant Christian. You will likely be the same if your parents were Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ, etc.
It would be safe to assume that our religion and denomination are determined chiefly by our ancestry, location, and environment. Family roots and race is the most potent reason for someone’s religion. People say, “If it was good enough for grandma, it is good enough for me.”
Of our 21 “religions” listed above, how many claim to have a god?
Some religions, such as Hinduism and Shinto, have thousands of gods. Some have no gods but are led by gurus, teachers, philosophers, or politicians, such as Buddhism, Sikhism, Juche, and Jainism.
Many are recent “religions” such as Spiritism, Baha’i, Cao Dai, Tenrikyo, Neo-Paganism, Rastafarianism, and Scientology, which just started in the last couple hundred years.
Some are very nationalistic, such as Zoroastrianism. They attempt to reason to a conclusion rather than search the evidence.
One last question: What if there is an enemy to truth? Would it be natural for that enemy to use deception to steer people away from the truth, especially if he knew there was a source of truth?
Let’s compare the top two religions in the world and their leaders. We will examine the claims of Jesus, Muhammad, Jehovah, and Allah in the next chapter.
In Part 1, nine barriers to belief were described. There are more, but those probably cover almost all the excuses to believe in a Creator God. I, personally, used several of them (if not all) when I was an atheist. If you haven’t read Part 1, please stop here and go back to our first discussion.
Most unbelievers hardly ever consider this question. Since they can’t see a physical form or hear a literal voice, belief in God takes a backseat to the things of earth that can be seen. The catchphrase, “If I can see it, I won’t believe it” is the rule.
Generally, this is not a bad rule to live by, but it can’t be all-encompassing because we believe things we can’t see every day. Here are a couple of simple examples:
We can’t see wind, but that doesn’t keep us from believing there is wind and using it to our advantage. In other words, we believe there is wind because we see the effects, e.g., trees bending, leaves and paper being scattered, a roof blown away by a strong wind, etc. This would be circumstantial evidence. No one knows its origin or its creation, but we know it’s there.
We couldn’t see the virus vaccine injected into our arms when we got the COVID shot. It took much faith to believe in its existence and the scientific studies to show it would protect us from the effects of the virus, not to mention the faith we had to exercise regarding the quality control of the manufacturers, suppliers, and the ability of the doctors to inject me correctly. We couldn’t see every point in its delivery to us, but we believed it. Some people’s lack of faith led them in the opposite direction.
The “I can’t see Him” excuse is hypocritical; at the least, since we often exercise faith in things, we can’t see without worrying too much about it.
The last article made this critical point:
If you don’t want to believe in a Creator God, you can find many personal excuses to be an unbeliever.
Consequently, a search will likely never be executed. But if you want to know the truth about anything, you will search for it. In some cases, it will take priority over all the other menial things in your life.
In Part 1, we learned that there is substance and evidence to provide a basis for belief and faith in God. Paul wrote this significant passage about faith. It is not blind!
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
This doesn’t sound like someone closing their eyes and chanting, “I do believe. I do believe,” to work up faith. Real confidence in the existence of God is based on proof and not just a mental exercise and personal feelings. You can’t “whip up” faith. There is nothing wrong with searching for proof of God’s existence…If you want it.
In the article following this one, we will explore the circumstantial evidence. But I want to cut right to the heart of the matter. It has to do with hard evidence that could be used in court.
Jesus and The Old Testament:
The first hard evidence is Jesus: He is either all He and the disciples claimed, or He pulled off the biggest scam in world history. When I first started to explore the Bible and ancient history, this derogatory statement about deception was my platform to attempt to prove to my Christian wife that she was fooled into believing in Jesus.
I can hear you saying, “Men wrote the Bible to control people.” I felt the same. We could add this to the excuses described in Part 1, but how do we know if we never investigated it to begin with? Often, we, as humans, believe the reasoning of someone else and rest our faith in his or her words. This is also a fault of believers.
If you are still with me, let’s go to the number 1 hard proof of God’s existence and His character:
Jesus, the Messiah, is described many times in the Old Testament, written hundreds of years before He came on the scene. I was surprised by this discovery because I thought He was the product of some idealistic New Testament disciples:
Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
Luke 24: 44-45
Let’s examine this closely. First, the setting for this passage was the third day after the Friday resurrection (33 AD). On the first day of the week (Sunday evening), when Jesus appeared, for the first time, to the cowering, fearful disciples hiding behind closed doors. They were terrified of dying the same way as Jesus (crucifixion). But then, Jesus suddenly stands before them!
Then, the same day in the evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
John 20:19
After eating broiled fish and honeycomb (See Luke 24: 41-43), Jesus gave the disciples a Bible study.
…He opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
Luke 24:45
Jesus then proceeded to show how all the things written in the three divisions of the Old Testament, or Tanakh (as the Jewish people call it today), were fulfilled or will be fulfilled about Him.
Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
Luke 24:44
The three divisions of the Old Testament Jesus mentioned are:
Law of Moses-The first five books: (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Jesus is there in promises to Adam, Eve, Jacob, Esau, Abraham, and all the others. He is also the point of the sacrificial laws and allegorical stories about Him, such as the story about Joseph.
The Prophets: This includes the books of all the major and minor prophets, starting with Isaiah through Malachi (the last book of the Tanakh). 16 books of the Bible written over hundreds of years by different authors. They didn’t write philosophy; they wrote what they saw, and there was little possibility of collaboration or scheming.
Psalms: This includes not only the book of Psalms but also the poetic book of Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes Proverbs.
What a Bible Study that would have been! The disciples had all the hard evidence of witnesses by seeing and eating with Jesus, the Creator God in human flesh (See John 1, Colossians 1, and Hebrews 1). In addition, they were briefed on the mysteries about Jesus that they couldn’t see in the Tankah. This is a point to remember. Real faith (belief and trust) will come when we study the Word of God, particularly the prophecies:
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.
Romans 10:16-18 (CSB)
Your faith will either grow or diminish based on how much serious time you spend studying and contemplating God’s word. A little time in God’s word equals a little faith. Much time in God’s word equals much faith. It will grow strong and rooted if you exercise what you have learned.
An interesting note here is that Jesus had given this same Bible study earlier in the day to two discouraged disciples on their way to Emmaus. Jesus suddenly appeared (walking up from behind) as a stranger. Later in the evening, He revealed Himself to them at the evening meal. Based on the distance traveled, this Tanakh study likely lasted about three hours—the approximate time for a casual, thoughtful walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus (about 7 miles). You can read the complete account of this Bible study as they walked in Luke 24: 13-35. Here are just a couple of highlights:
Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained so that they did not know Him.
These disciples were so discouraged! The eyes filled with discouragement can not see Jesus. The two travelers do not recognize him. The One they had placed all their trust in and hope had been nailed to a rough Roman cross! They were leaving the city of discouragement (Jerusalem) and traveling to Emmaus to start their lives over. Then, without praying, only indulging in their self-pity and discouraging conversation, Jesus suddenly appears from behind.
Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded (explained) to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
v. 25-27
Jesus gently reminds them that they had failed to believe the prophets when they spoke about His sufferings. As good Jews, they expected the Messiah to be a commander of an army who would free Israel from their enemies, in particular Rome. Sometimes, we want the Bible to say what we want it to say. We want a Messiah on a white horse to come to free us from oppression! To clear up their misunderstanding, Jesus gives these two disciples a Bible study about “Himself,” starting with Moses (The first five books of the Old Testament) and the Prophets (16 books of prophecy written over hundreds of years!).
A subtle point in this story is the care Jesus has for a small audience of two people. He is very personable, addressing our own personal discouragements! Also, we don’t find these two men praying. Instead, they were extremely downcast and talked about it openly. Misery loves company. Then Jesus shows up from behind them. He sneaks upon them! They were not expecting anyone. Sometimes, God knows what we need to get us out of the funk. He does it when you least expect it. But spending time learning from God’s word about Jesus will lift your spirits as it did with these men. They exclaimed:
And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
v.32
Our hearts are not encouraged by religious creeds, cermonies, and traditions…only Jesus and the scriptures do we find the soul’s satisfaction.
Author
A word of encouragement to those who are at their lowest in worrying and doubt: this is when Jesus will suddenly appear…without any pleading prayer. Not in a large group, but just you. Why? Because He knows your specific need and what you must do to find peace. He loves you deeply! In our darkest hour, Jesus can be the nearest to us, unseen as a stranger, ready to give you the words of life. Just listen and be revived by His presence. Then, seek to know Him more.
The point is that Jesus is not just another prophet or good person. His advent was predicted by at least 48 major prophecies found in the Old Testament. There are more, but we will start here. The odds of Jesus fulfilling just eight prophecies are astronomical, aka as impossible unless it is 100% accurate:
Born in Bethlehem,
Preceded by a Messenger,
Enter Jerusalem on a Donkey,
Betrayed by a friend,
Sold for 30 pieces of silver,
Money is thrown into God’s house and used to buy the Potter’s field,
Silent before His accusers and
Crucified between two thieves
The odds of accidental or planned events by just one man are 1 in 10 to the 17th power. Or 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. That number is 100 quadrillion.
If you include the 48 major prophecies, the odds are 1 in 10 with 157 zeroes behind it.
Eyewitnesses
There were many eyewitnesses of Jesus’ activities at His first coming to the earth. The disciples created a case for Christ. They saw and touched Jesus. Here are a few examples of their case statements:
John:
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
1 John 1:1
Note: John describes Jesus as the “Word” in his gospel (See John 1: 1-18). In this passage, we learn about the divinity of Jesus as the Creator!
Peter:
For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we told you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
2 Peter 1:16
Unlike circumstantial evidence, there were many eyewitnesses!
Doubting Thomas
Thomas had separated himself from the other disciples for eight days. When they finally saw him again, the believing disciples said,
We have seen the Lord!”
John 20:25a
But Thomas was like most of us, i.e., “I won’t believe unless I see Him myself.”
“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
John 20: 25b
Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord’ and my God!”
John 20: 27-28
Thomas was finally satisfied by what he saw. He had found His Lord and God. Jesus encourages us who have not seen as did Thomas:
“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29
We may not be able to see Jesus and have the people’s direct experience of Jesus’ day, but we have enough reasons to believe the testimony of those who did. There are even more than just His disciples who experienced Jesus in person!
Paul and the Other Disciples, Plus More Than 500 People, Saw the Resurrected Jesus!
The converted religious zealot, Paul, summarizes the eyewitness accounts described above in his letter to the Corinthians many years after the resurrection:
“…He was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas (one of the disciples walking to Emmaus), and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all He appeared to me also….
1 Corinthians 15: 4-8
Often, people who are religious need an encounter with Jesus to make their religion real and valuable to others. Just because someone goes to church and is active in it does not make their experience real.
Conclusion
It is in Jesus that we can find hard evidence of the existence and, more importantly, the true character of God. The prophecies tell of His first and second coming. The second coming prophecies are just as numerous as the first!) Most have already been fulfilled. Even the conditions of the last generation are described in detail. There is no other religious man, god, or self-proclaimed deity/philosophy with prophecies fulfilled precisely and clearly as written by multiple prophets than Jesus.
There were many eyewitness accounts of Jesus and the events of His life on earth. Because of what they saw, especially the resurrected Jesus, they went from fearful, discouraged unbelievers to men and women who proclaimed Jesus boldly, even to the point of torture and death.
If you want to know what the Creator God looks and acts like, look to Jesus. The doubting Phillip wanted to see God the Father. He said that would be enough for the other doubting disciples.
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father…
John 14: 8,9
The character of love, compassion, forgiveness, and sacrifice of God the Father can be seen in the life of Jesus! They don’t have different personalities. Jesus said,
“I and the Father are one.”
John 10:30
Learning about Jesus is a study of a lifetime. So you have plenty of material. This material includes nature and the life we see around us.
Next time, we will examine the circumstantial evidence of God’s existence in what we see daily. Until then, the question remains,
“What will it take for you to believe in God?”
But just believing He exists is not enough. At some point, as you seek His guidance, you will learn to trust in Him and take Him at His word. As a result, you will find fellowship and peace in Him.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
Won’t you start that journey today? Contact me if you have questions or if I can help in any way.
“No, I can’t prove He exists, but I believe He does.”
Why would someone believe in something they can’t see? The more important question is, “What if it could be shown without a doubt that He exists and that the Bible is His reliable source of truth? What would you do?”
Since this is all about questions and doubt, let’s start with a personal question:
What do you need to believe God exists?
What would it take for you to believe a Creator God exists? How could you become convinced or satisfied with God’s existence? Maybe it’s direct physical evidence, like in a murder case where you have DNA, a weapon, a video, and witnesses. That would be a slam-dunk case. Wouldn’t it? If God showed up at your house or office as would a flesh and blood friend and say to you,
“Hello, I am God, and I am here to answer all your questions.”
Then, He proceeded to answer the “why?” questions about losing a loved one, or He let you in on the solutions to world troubles. Would you believe He exists? What if He could tell you the secrets of your life that only you knew? Would you become a believer, then?
Let’s imagine on a grander scale. What if He showed up at the Super Bowl this February, hovering in clouds above the 50-yard line on international TV, and said,
“Listen up, everyone, I am God, there is no other like me, and I can prove it. I will predict the game’s score and the exact time each team scores. Further, I am giving you the final stats of the game before kick-off.”
Would that be enough proof for you to become a believer? How would it affect your life?
Perhaps you are a highly educated Ph.D. scientist with an understanding of the details of the biology of life. What would satisfy you that God exists and He originated all life and knows more than you do? What if He explained how He created the universe and life and gave you formulas you had never considered?
Would all of this be enough?
What would you do with this knowledge if you could be totally satisfied with God’s existence and ability to create everything from nothing? Sadly, most would probably say,
“That’s great! Now I got to go back to work.”
If it could be proved to you, without a doubt, of God’s existence, would you become a believer and seeker of Him and truth?
Most would say,
“No, I am too busy with my life.”
Is it possible that unbelief is not because of a so-called lack of evidence but of something else? Many people do not want there to be a Creator God for various reasons, but mostly because they love their lives, as degraded as they may be. Could it be that we feel God would restrict our joy in life? Then, how about the big question of moral absoluteness and accountability for our actions?
I propose to you that belief is not so much about proof of His existence as is the perceived inconvenience it would cause in our daily lives. But having said all this, let’s continue with the elements to prove either circumstantially or directly His existence. Let me say from the start that I have empathy for the unbeliever, having once been one.
There are many reasons why people chose to believe there is no God and that all of the earth’s events are random and unmanaged. This is where we will start. Let’s take a look at the reasons given for unbelief in a creator God.
Barriers to Belief
1.) Unwillingness to Investigate
Evidence of God’s existence starts with a willing search. You can’t find or learn something if you don’t want to look. Many don’t want to look at it either due to time or just not being interested. The result is quick opinions about something they know very little. They become subject to theories that fit their desire.
Not true is the popular unbiblical saying, “Faith is blind.” A biblical definition of faith is based on the wide-open eyes of substance (confidence) and evidence (tangible). That great religious writer, Paul, who was on his way to persecute Christian believers, said to the Hebrews:
Now faith is the substance (*confidence) of things hoped for, the evidence (*circumstantial and real, tangible) of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
*Parenthetical additions from the original Greek words for substance and evidence: hypostasis(substance) andelegchos(evidence)
God evidently cares about you getting the evidence, but if you don’t want it, there will be no way for it to help. Herein lies the problem with a believer trying to prove God exists. It probably doesn’t matter much if the person does not want there to be a Creator God. So, the substance and evidence are unimportant to them, and they may never start a journey to find the truth. Why? It could be many personal reasons related to lifestyle, perception of what it means to be a believer, peer pressure, etc.
Probably the most significant barrier to belief in God centers on suffering in the world. In all fairness to the unbelievers, there are many things in life on this planet that create unbelief in a Creator God. Even full-blown believers think about these things, but unlike the unbeliever, they have read and understand the words of the prophets about the fall of mankind, sin, the love of God, redemption through Christ, and the path mankind has been on for thousands of years.
2.) Suffering in the World
“If there is a God, why is there so much pain and death in the world?
Suffering and death result from many things other than simply wearing out from old age. Here are some examples: chronic physical and mental pain, continuous wars, bad accidents, mental breakdowns, violent crimes, child and spouse abuse, poverty, and hunger; oppression and persecution of those who feel superior… the list of sufferings that precede death goes on and on.
The death of a loved one, a small child, a toddler, or a young person affects most of us tremendously. The pain is sometimes unbearable. Some will turn to alcohol or drugs to ease the pain.
This typical objection to the existence of God almost always starts with an “If” followed by a “why.” “If” there is a God, then “why” is there suffering in this world? “If there is a God, “why” did He let my mother die?” “If” there is a God, “why” do I struggle all the time?
The insinuation from this question is that “if” God is good and in control, then none of these things would be present on earth. Therefore, everything that happens is by man’s doing or the evolution’s cycle of life, suffering, and death. The unbeliever reasons, “Everything is by chance or coincidence.”
So, this type of thinking requires life on earth to be like heaven, where no one dies or suffers, and everyone is happy.
It is not hard to see something terribly wrong on planet Earth. We have come to expect death, dying, and suffering, but was this God’s plan? What happened? The Bible has the answer, but it is not what most people want to know.
3.) The Actions of Unconverted Believers
The unloving, critical, judgmental nature of people in church or in public can do more to convince an unbeliever that God doesn’t exist or, at the least, not want a part of it. So, they will retreat to friends and flock together in their community where love is expressed. The wars and death in the name of religion just add more fuel or reasons to conclude those Christians, Muslims, etc., are just nuts.
4.) Science
Scientists use systematic principles and procedures to solve problems or gain knowledge by collecting data through observation and experiment. Then, their hypotheses are tested. Science has benefited society in many ways. It has made life easier, safer, more convenient, and extended life and its quality.
But, when it comes to the study of origins, some data is skipped over or maligned. The intelligence (Creator) factor is removed, and we wind up with supposed evidence that interprets life’s beginnings according to man’s desire to dismiss the miracle of creation, procreation, and God. It is thought that God and science have nothing in common, even though some see evidence that God is the originator of all laws that science depends upon.
Evolution has moved from interpretive science to exact science in the minds of many. Mankind’s self-education through the study and observance of nature concludes something different from an intelligent Creator.
God can’t be put in a test tube, but his fingerprints and DNA can be found there. Nevertheless, if a scientist does not want to believe, evidence will not convince them. They will always lean towards theories that fit their worldview and justify their lifestyle/worldview. And, to be honest, it works the same with the Creationist. It is difficult to be purely objective.
5.) Philosophers
It has been estimated that there are over 3,000 philosophers worldwide. Among them are different teachings on life, its beginnings, and endings. Is everybody right? Can error and truth coexist? Evidently, it does in the minds of some people. But logically, the truth is no less true, and error is no less wrong.
Listening to other people who are, or seem to be, experts (pundits) in their field and their reasoning can lead us to form similar opinions that may be right or wrong about many things, including God and the Bible. There are “non-pundits” (famous people such as actors and musicians, etc.) who are not necessarily learned but have opinions that carry weight with those who admire them..
6.) Deception
If you have read the Bible, even casually, you know that deception (for humans) started in a garden, runs through history, and ends with worldwide deception. Satan is called “the father of lies” (See John 8:44). Satan enticed the first couple with a false promise of eternal life and becoming like God (See Genesis 3:4-5). There are many (worldwide) who believe themselves to be God or have received some special revelation. They gather gullible followers without an anchor. These self-proclaimed gods prey on those who have no confident answers and are looking for convenient, self-satisfying truths about life.
With the advent of the web, the number of self-proclaimed philosophers/gods/pundits has reached a staggering level of exposure. Instead of one serpent, there is a whole nest of them all over the world.
Substance and evidence by the false gods are missing. In its place is charisma and power. Following is a very small list of so-called gods on earth; some are dead. No denomination or nationality is exempt from cultic offshoots. (Source: www.monitor.co.ug). Note: the multitude of podcasts, YouTube, and web personalities could be included, but it would take too much time to list them.
Owobusobozi Bisaka– (former Catholic who received a “revelation” and started his own denomination).
Moon Sun Myung-(former Presbyterian. He also received a “revelation,” founded the Unification Church)Inri Christo-Looks a lot like the classic pictures of Jesus and uses some of His teachings.
Sergei Torop founded the Church of the Last Testament. He is a former policeman who was fired after insisting he was Jesus and began to impersonate him with long hair and flowing robes.
Arrifin Mohammed started the sect called The Sky Kingdom. A former Muslim, he claims to be Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Shiva, and the supreme deity of all religions.
Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda-Jose founded Creciendo Gracia (Spanish for Growing in Grace) church in the US. At first, Miranda, who is from Mexico, claimed to be Paul, a leading figure of the Bible.
David Koresh, a former member of an offshoot of Seventh-Day Adventists called Shepherd’s Rod, also known as Davidians. Shepherd’s Rod founder was Victor Houteff, whom the worldwide Seventh-Day Adventist Administration excommunicated in 1930.
Marshall Applewhite, founder of Heaven’s Gate, based his beliefs on a mixture of Christian Eschatology and mysticism. He convinced his 38 followers (and himself) that the comet Hale-Bobb was accompanied by a spaceship that would take them from this world, but to get aboard, they needed to leave the physical body through death.
7.) A Multitude of Religious Denominations
Numbers vary and go as high as 30,000 distinct denominations. If you want your head to spin, see the details about the plethora of world religions and denominations on Wikipedia). Most of these folks were born into their particular denomination. Some convert, I am sure. But most would feel they have the truth about God. But how can everybody be right? Solomon, the wise man of God, cautioned,
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 14:12, 16:25
8.) There is No Absolute Truth
This mass confusion has led many to say, “There is no absolute truth.” But is that true, absolutely? If “yes,” then that statement contradicts itself. If the answer is “no,” then there must be absolute truth out there somewhere.
Some proclaim, “I have my truth, and you have your truth.” Does this mean that everyone is right and nobody is wrong? Is that even possible? Do feelings determine truth? I can feel that I can fly, but if I jump off a skyscraper, the truth about gravity will have people scrapping me off the sidewalk.
9.) Reliability of the Bible
This is an often-used excuse for unbelief. It is usually stated by those who have only heard things and never researched or studied themselves. This we will explore later.
Summary
There is a multitude of reasons for disbelief. This planet is in chaos. Wouldn’t you agree? We could study each philosopher, each deity, and each denomination, but that would take more than a lifetime. The truth is out there. God is out there, too! But what will it take to convince you?
Jesus is the most influential religious leader of all time. He and his disciples made some fantastic claims. Jesus Himself said,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,”John 14:6
This exclusive claim is either true or it is false. If you believe it to be true, you will have reasons for the hope that is within you. If you believe it is false, you, too, must have evidence. But you won’t know until you search the Bible alone. Deception awaits you if you research the web or read books that claim Jesus is false. You are also in danger listening to family and friends. It is only in the writings of approximately 40 writers whom God inspired to write or were eyewitnesses of Jesus. The story of Jesus is not limited to one writer as it is with others who claim to be God. The proof is in the Bible, which covers thousands of years from creation to destruction.
Are you willing to give Jesus and the Bible a chance? Do you want to follow the evidence and its conclusion? If not, you have wasted your time reading all this. But if you are willing and have an open mind, the truth will set you free from doubt and set you on a new, satisfying journey in life.
We have looked at some barriers to belief. Next time, we will look at sources for truth and belief in God. These things put before me reasons to believe. Hopefully, it will provide the same for you. But it is your choice.
How often have you picked up a good book and skipped over the first two-thirds of the pages to start reading? Have you done the same with instructions designed to help you put something together, assemble a new end table, or set up the new iPhone? I dare say none of us would do such a silly thing. The results would be frustrating. You may be tempted to throw in the towel or pay someone who doesn’t mind reading the entire page of instructions.
Something similar occurs when we limit our reading of the Scriptures to only the New Testament. By doing so, we get only one-third of the story about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. If we only focus on the New Testament, we can’t understand Him at the level and depth He intended. We may become frustrated and discouraged in our understanding of Jesus.
God’s dealings with His people, the plan of Salvation, the prophecies, the Godhead, and His will for us can become cloudy, if not invisible, by reading only part of the story. Most of all, we get an incomplete picture of Jesus. This practice can even lead to false teaching that could add further bewilderment. Please remember that this concept does not diminish the New Testament in any way. It does the opposite. The New Testament writers disclose the fulfillment and reality of Jesus. Their passion for Jesus is built on the firm foundation of God’s inspired writers from ancient times.
All Scripture
Paul told Timothy, his young protege, this critical teaching about scripture:
“…from childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16
Interestingly, the word “Scripture” refers only to the Old Testament books. The New Testament was in the process of being written when Paul wrote these words about thirty years after the cross. Neither Timothy nor Paul had a copy of the New Testament. True, the disciples’ letters were scattered throughout the churches, but there was no red-letter New Testament book of the New Testament writers for them to study.
Except for one time in Daniel 10:21, The word “Scripture” is used only in the New Testament (31 times) and always refers back to what we call the Old Testament. It was the only book Jesus, the disciples, and the Apostles used to prove that Jesus was the promised Messiah, expounding on the character of God and the plan of salvation.
So, Paul is referring to the same book Jesus quoted from. Paul says the “Old Testament” (Scripture) is good for several things in Timothy’s ministry and, therefore, our work today:
1.) wisdom for salvation;
2.) for doctrine;
3.) reproof;
4.) correction; and
5.) instruction in righteousness
Scripture
Scripture is the collection of writings we call the Old Testament. This is an unfortunate title because it implies “old”; worn out, irrelevant. Some today say, “I am a New Testament Christian.” This implies they are living under the New Covenant, which should be, but the New Covenant has its basis in the writings of the Old Testament writers. A better statement of belief would be, “I am a Christian based on the entire word of God.” Modern Christian teachers have minimized these books, but by doing so, how much is overlooked about Jesus?
The Jews today have the same collection of writings. They refer to it as the Tanakh. It is divided into three main sections:
Tanakh is an acronym, made from the first Hebrew letter of each of the Masoretic Text’s three traditional divisions: Torah (literally ‘Instruction’ or ‘Law’), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings)—hence TaNaKh.
The Tanakh consists of twenty-four books, counting as one book each: 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, and Ezra–Nehemiah. The Twelve Minor Prophets are also counted as a single book.
Therefore, all the books of the Old Testament are in the Tankah, but some are combined.
Jesus’ Scripture Study with His Disciples
At least twice, Jesus refers directly to these books of the Scriptures to explain who He is and His mission. Both times, he desired to open the eyes of His followers by teaching about Himself from the Scriptures. The story is found in the book of Luke.
After His resurrection on that 1st Day of the week, the resurrected Jesus caught up with two discouraged disciples who had just left the horror of Jerusalem that occurred on the Preparation Day (Friday). Their Rabbi had been nailed to a wooden cross like an animal! The One they loved was beaten, stripped, and finally met a suffering death. They were so discouraged that they were not praying…only discussing the scenes of that horrible day. They were, perhaps, rethinking their commitment to Jesus. Their faith had reached an all-time low.
But here is what I love about Jesus. At their lowest point, Jesus shows up! He didn’t appear to a large crowd at first, but to two lonely hurting followers. On that dusty road to Emmaus, neither man was praying for His presence, but Jesus appeared because He knew their damaged hearts. He does the same today. When you are at your lowest and don’t feel like praying, Jesus will show up just for you because of His great love and understanding!
The hurting disciples converse with the stranger, not knowing it is Jesus. They describe the scenes in Jerusalem with tears and pathos in their voice. Luke then records Jesus’ words.
Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into Hisglory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24: 25-27
Jesus gave them a Scripture study from the Old Testament (it was not called that then) or what the Jews today would call the Tanakh. The topic? Jesus! Wouldn’t you have loved to have been a part of that study from Jesus Himself?
As suddenly as Jesus showed up, He disappeared just as they had begun their evening meal in Emmaus. This encounter left them with “hearts burning” within them. Even though the day was “far-spent,” they returned to Jerusalem with a new story to tell. They had seen Jesus in the flesh and discovered Him in Scripture. They had to tell the other disciples, so they likely ran all the way back to Jerusalem in the dark, where the other disciples were behind closed doors for “fear of the Jews” (John 20:19). When your heart is burning, you have to be running!
It was dark when they returned to Jerusalem since they had been talking with Jesus as they ate the evening meal seven miles away. They found the eleven disciples talking about Peter’s experience of seeing Jesus (Luke 24:34).
Suddenly, Jesus appears again! They think they have seen a spirit, but Jesus tells them, “Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” V. 39. Then He eats broiled fish and honeycomb with them.
But here is the relevant part to this theme: the two men on the way to Emmaus get to hear the Scripture study about Jesus a second time! When our hearts are burning and running to tell others about Jesus, we are learning.
Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Luke 24: 44-45
From this gathering of discouraged disciples, we learn that the writings of the Old Testament (the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms) are fulfilled in Jesus. Is it not obvious? We can learn many things about Jesus by reading these ancient writings.
So yes. if we only read the New Testament, we miss two-thirds of the story about Him. Our experience and faith in Jesus will explode when we discover Jesus from people like Moses, Ezra, Nehemiah, Solomon, Isaiah, David, Daniel, and many others whom God inspired to write about what they saw and experienced (2 Peter 1:21).
“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them, you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” –Jesus (John 5:39)
(Disclaimer, again): I have never read Bill O’Riley’s book called Killing Jesus. The following thoughts came from my own personal study. Any similarities are purely coincidental.)
I am using the word “murder” because it is different than “killing”. Killing can be an accident or defensive. Murder is intentional with malice. Further, the word “murder” in this article is used symbolically to demonstrate how Jesus and His message are denigrated in our society, including in some churches.
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Last time, we looked at how the religious leaders of Jesus’ day belittled and denigrated Jesus’ words, teachings, and example. They sought to murder Him because he cut across their traditions and man-made rules about the Sabbath. Their hatred was so strong for Him that they sought how they might destroy Him!
They also did not know Jesus. They claimed that only God could forgive sins. They were right about that but wrong about who He was. In their midst stood Immanuel (God with us)! Their religiosity blinded them. Indeed, Jesus could forgive sins because He is God, a member of the eternal Godhead.
There is nothing new under the sun. Today, the same two topics of the Sabbath and the divinity of Jesus are constantly called into question even though the Bible is clear on these two topics. They are twisted and degraded, which leads to the murder of Jesus (symbolically). So, as we walk on holy ground approaching this topic of divinity, let us consider the importance of understanding the nature of Christ.
Sometimes, someone else can so clearly express the truth better than me. Rarely do I rely on someone else’s writings, but in this case, I make an exception. A small book written in the 19th century by E. J. Waggoner, Christ, and His Righteousness, follows the scripture closely and fairly to come to a Biblical conclusion about the nature of Christ. While some of the following are his words, mine are interspersed as the Spirit leads me. But, the most important words are the words from God Himself as found in both the Old and New Testaments.
The ultimate goal is to understand the depth of the sacrifice of Christ,
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
Philippians 2:6
If we fall short in our understanding of Christ’s nature, we may attempt to murder Him by minimizing the story of redemption. Let’s begin with the basic question:
IS CHRIST GOD?
In many places in the Bible, Christ is called God. The Psalmist says:
“The mighty God (Elohim), even the Lord [Jehovah], hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare His righteousness; for God is judge Himself.”
Ps. 50:1-6.
It should be clear that this passage refers to the 2nd coming of Christ by two declarations from God’s word:
First, all judgment is given to Christ by God the Father.
Last time, we saw where the Jews sought to kill Jesus, broke their traditions of Sabbath observance, and He made himself equal with God. He did this by forgiving the paralytic’s sins, and in John 5, Jesus claimed that He and God were equal:
“Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.”
John 5:18
Jesus’ answer to them showed the closeness of the work of Jesus and God the Father (verses 19-20). It is logical that if Jesus didn’t think He was equal with God, He would have said so. Instead, He refers back to the Psalmist Asaph’s description of Jesus (God) being given all judgment (Psalm 50: 4-6). His response to the Jews probably surprised and infuriated them because He is showing the power given to Him by the Father:
For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
John 5: 22-23
Is it not clear that honoring Jesus honors the Father, also? More on that later.
Secondly, the description of the Psalmist Asaph matches Paull and Peter’s New Testament description of the second coming of Christ. Asaph refers to God (Elohim) whose coming is destructive and is the time to gather His people. Jesus fulfills this prophecy. Elohim is the same name used at the beginning of Genesis…” In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” and over 2,400 times elsewhere in the Old Testament. This simple comparative chart should help us see the connection between Psalm 50 and the New Testament. This is just one of many connections between the God of the Old Testament and Jesus’ divinity in the New Testament.
Psalm 50
New Testament
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent;A fire shall devour before Him,And it shall be very tempestuous (like a storm) all around Him. V.3
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with *a shout, (1 Thess 4:16).”“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [burned up. 2 Peter 3: 10
The Saints shall be gathered together….God is judge Himself.
And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His [saints) from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24: 31,“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thess 4: 17
*Note: This shout will be the voice of the Son of God, which will be heard by all that are in their graves and which will cause them to come forth. John 5:28, 29.
A prophecy of Isaiah makes it certain that Jesus would be called (among other descriptive names) “the mighty God, the everlasting Father.”
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
Isa. 9:6.
These are not simply the words of Isaiah; they are the words of the Spirit of God. God has, in direct address to the Son, called Him by the same title.
In Ps. 45:6, we read these words:
“Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; the scepter of Thy kingdom is a right scepter.”
The casual reader might take this to be simply the Psalmist’s description of praise to God, but when we turn to the New Testament, we find that it is much more. We find that God the Father is the speaker and that He is addressing the Son, calling Him God. (See Heb. 1:1-8).
But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
Hebrews 1: 8
Christ is the “express image” of the Father’s person. Heb. 1:3. As the Son of the self-existent God, He has by nature all the attributes of Deity. It is true that there are many sons of God, but Christ is the “only begotten Son of God,” and therefore, the Son of God is, in a sense, that which no other being ever was or ever can be.
The angels are sons of God, as was Adam (Job 38:7; Luke 3:38), by creation; Christians are the sons of God by adoption (Rom. 8:14, 15); but Christ is the Son of God by association with the Father.
When Philip said to Jesus,
“Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father”
John 14:8, 9.
This is as emphatic a statement as when He said,
“I and My Father are one.”
John 10:30.
So truly was Christ God, even when here among men, that when asked to exhibit the Father, He could say, Behold Me. And this brings to mind the statement that when the Father brought the First-begotten into the world, He said,
“And let all the Christ And His Righteousness. angels of God worship Him.”
Heb. 1:6.
It was not simply when Christ was sharing the glory of the Father before the world that He was entitled to homage, but when He came as a Babe in Bethlehem, even then, all the angels of God were commanded to adore Him.
The Jews did not misunderstand Christ’s teaching concerning Himself. When He declared that He was one with the Father, the Jews took up stones to stone Him, and when He asked them for which of His good works they sought to stone Him, they replied:
” For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”
John 10:33.
If He had been what they regarded Him, a mere man, His words would indeed have been blasphemy, but He was God. The object of Christ in coming to earth was to reveal God to men so that they might come to Him. Thus, the apostle Paul says that.
“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself”
2 Cor. 5:19
In John, we read that the Word, which was God, was “made flesh.” John 1:1,14.
In the same connection, it is stated,
” No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (or made Him known).
John 1:18.
Note the expression, “the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father.” He has His abode there, and He is there as a part of the Godhead, as surely when on earth as when in heaven. The use of the present tense implies continued existence. It presents the same idea that is contained in the statement of Jesus to the Jews (John 8:58),
“Before Abraham was, I am.”
John 8:58
And this again shows His identity with the One who appeared to Moses in the burning bush, who declared His name to be “I AM THAT I AM.” And, finally, we have the inspired words of the apostle Paul concerning Jesus Christ, that
“it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.”
Col. 1:19
What this fullness is, which dwells in Christ, we learn from the next chapter, where we are told that.
” For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;”
Col. 2:9.
This is the most absolute and unequivocal testimony to the fact that Christ possesses by nature all the attributes of Divinity.
Conclusion:
The sacrifice of God the Father and Jesus, who are so intimately associated by their existence and purpose. The plan of the Father and Jesus made Jesus’ sacrifice far exceed the mere blood of bulls and goats. Those poor animals who knew not of their pending death must have kicked and squirmed as they felt the blade of the knife on their tender throats and felt the life go slowly out of their consciences.
But Jesus willingly laid down His life in cooperation with the Father,
Therefore, My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
John 10: 17-18
Let us stand in awe and respond with love for God and the value of sinful mankind that our Creator would die for the created.
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11: 33-36
“Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.” Isaiah 28: 9-10
In this passage, God asks the question about to whom He teaches knowledge and understanding. It is directed towards His written word. It uses the language of literature: lines and precepts (ideas). By using the rhetorical question referencing infants, it is for those who are grown enough to understand precepts. It may even appear as a complex message to those who are not mature in the Lord.
But God also makes reference to context by comparing lines with other lines. We might call this close or micro context. He expands the context to a macro context with precepts or ideas compared with each other.
All of this is within the heading of understanding the message. The message of what. Well, here is where we can use the tool of context to know the message of God.
Verse 14 of Isaiah gives us a hint:
Therefore, hear the word of the Lord, you scornful men, Who rule this people who are in Jerusalem,
God wants to teach the men who rule the people who reside in His city of Jerusalem.
Is it possible that we don’t know God because of a lack of context?
One of my biggest frustrations as a Bible student and teacher is when I hear the interpretation of a text or passage (especially concerning God’s character and prophecy) that is out of context.
False prophets either lift out single verses or twist plain passages to gain control or misrepresent the character of God.
DIVINE CONTEXT
A Text Without a Context Is a Pretext: This means a text read without careful consideration of the surrounding verses is easily misconstrued or maybe not correct at all. A passage of scripture is always best understood and appreciated in its context. But there are at least eight different levels of context.
Each verse lies inside a chapter, each chapter inside a book, each book within its author. Each book and author within time, each book, author, and time inside the whole of Scripture…but most important...all within the context of God’s character.
A simple progression of CONTEXT is as follows:
1.) Lowest level: One Text
2.) Surrounding Texts within the chapter
3.) Chapters within the book
4.) Books within the other books of the author
5.) Within the audience and time of the writing
6.) The author within other books or authors
7.) Within the entire scripture
8.) Highest level: All within the context of the Character of God
With some passages, you don’t have to go very far in the chain. But, the further a person goes in this chain, the better understanding, conclusion, and appreciation for the powerful word of God.
The greatest value of deep context leads to greater knowledge and understanding of our loving, gracious, and sacrificial God.
“But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these, I delight,” says the Lord.
If you could go back in time and observe the first heart, what would you put in your notes? Would it be in a prehistoric dinosaur or a monkey, or a human? In all three, it does the same thing.
When did it arrive? It couldn’t appear by itself or will itself into existence nor slowly build itself into its purpose.
The purpose of the heart is to pump blood thru veins and arteries to supply life-giving nutrients and oxygen from the lungs for the entire body. For the heart to survive, it needs electrical currents to make it do its job.
The heart would be useless and dead if all of the above and more were not present simultaneously. This applies to all life. This has been termed irreducible complexity. It makes sense.
This is why I know with absolute certainty there is a Creator God. To think all this happened by blind unthinking chance slowly over millions of years requires faith greater than a belief in an intelligent Creator.
Therefore, I lack faith in being an evolutionist, atheist, or evolutionist theist.
The first heart likely looked much like it does it now. It was in the body of Adam, Eve, and the animals God created the 1st week of planet Earth. All were fully functional the moment God spoke it.
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” Psalm 139:14
