Author: Texas Gospel

A walk in the moonlight

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moon

Have you ever heard someone claim that the Bible says something specific, when in reality, they were projecting something they wanted to prove onto the scripture? To be clear, I’m talking about those who want to prove a point, and to that end they ascribe an  erroneous meaning to the scripture that backs their claim.

I was told of a non-believer who cited Genesis 1:16 as “proof” that the Bible is anti-science.  The author that was cited claimed the Bible tells us the moon creates light rather than reflecting it.  The scripture he referenced says, “God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night.”

I don’t know how anyone could interpret Genesis 1:16 the same way as this non-believer. This scripture doesn’t speak at all to what is generating the light, it simply refers to the moon as a light, something we often do today.  If someone told you they took a walk in the moonlight, would you assume this proves the person taking the stroll has no idea the moon is reflecting the sun?

There must be a reason some are so eager to find a problem with the scripture that they result to non-sense arguments like this.  While some are intentionally misquoting the scripture to win an argument, I believe others are fulfilling  2 Corinthians 4:4 which tells us, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

What are your thoughts?

Congregation forgives, mentors teens who vandalized church – Other items of interest

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Tennessee pastor mentors to teens who vandalized church

Instead of getting angry, Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church is choosing forgiveness and inviting the boys into the very doors that they vandalized. More from WSMV.

 

Wilton church damaged when banner set ablaze

A state fire investigator said Tuesday that someone set fire to a 200th anniversary banner strung across the front of the First Congregational Church on Main Street on Monday night.  More from the Sun Journal.

 

Atheist group sues Arkansas lawmaker over social media blocks

American Atheists have sued Republican Sen. Jason Rapert in federal court for his practice of blocking critics from his Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Students bring Bibles to school

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Liberty Counsel news release:

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — More than half a million students from across the United States will participate in the fifth annual Bring Your Bible to School movement on Thursday, October 4, 2018.

Though the First Amendment guarantees students the right to discuss their beliefs and read the Bible at school, Bring Your Bible to School day provides a unified opportunity for young people to share their faith at school without fear.

Throughout the day, students can share their experiences on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #BringYourBible.

The Constitution allows students the religious freedom to bring their Bibles or other religious books to school and read them during free time. Students can even use the Bible in a class assignment if they do so in a way that is relevant to the subject matter and meets the requirements of the assignment. Students can voluntarily express their personal and religious beliefs to their classmates through verbal or written expressions if they follow school policy and do not engage in these activities during classroom or instruction time. The First Amendment also guarantees students the right to pray individually or in groups on school grounds during any non-instructional time. All students may express their opinions verbally or in writing before or after school, in between classes, during the lunch hour or on the playing field, according to the federal guidelines on prayer in public schools found on Liberty Counsel’s website.

“Liberty Counsel supports all students who exercise their constitutional right to bring their Bibles to school on Bring Your Bible to School day and throughout the academic year,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. “Schools must remain neutral towards any expression of a religious viewpoint and provide equal access to students exercising their right to freedom of speech by praying or reading the Bible during non-instructional time,” said Staver.

Why God?

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Do Christians proclaim what they WANT to believe, or what they actually believe?

This may seem like an odd question, but I’ve encountered it in various forms.  I suspect it comes from a presupposition that man manufactures God to his desire. That is, it assumes that God is just the manifestation man’s craving for there to be a higher power.

Well, it’s true the Bible says we should bring all of our cares and desires to God, but it doesn’t say we should demand them.  The Bible says when we share our feelings with God, we should include, “nevertheless not MY will be done, but God’s will.” Does this sound like a book telling us God is what we want Him to be?

Let’s talk about that desire for there to be a God.  Why do we have that desire? Well, the scripture tells us God’s law is written on our heart weather we recognize it or not, so it’s true that man wants to believe in God, we are designed to have this desire. It is what leads us to Him.

Desire is not evidence of God’s non-existence.  All men get hungry, but this is not evidence that food doesn’t exist.  It is evidence that God’s word is true; His law is written on our heart.  Why else would so many non-related civilizations come up with the idea of God?

What are your thoughts?

 

New Jersey congregation celebrates 180 years

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NEW JERSEY – A New Jersey congregation is getting ready to celebrate its 180th anniversary.

The Glenwood Baptist Church, in Glenwood, N.J., was established in 1838.  According to the church web site, church records date back to 1838, but earlier written accounts of the congregation indicate it was formed from an older congregation dating back to 1792.

The original church building was destroyed by fire in 1982 and a new building was completed in 1984. The New Jersey Herald earlier this month published an article giving much of the church’s history.