Billiards Ball

Of course, among myths from the Egyptians, Vikings, and Aztecs is the Judeo-Christian “myth” of Genesis. But who decides what is myth and what is real? If our brains are nothing more than the result of evolutionary processes such as mutation and chance, then why should we trust them to differentiate correctly between myth and reality? If Dawkins was consistent with his worldview, he would realize he has no basis for the reliability of his senses. Dr. Jason Lisle stated the following in the article “Feedback: Coming to Our Senses”: Dawkins also appeared on BBC Newsnight to discuss his book with Jeremy Paxman. Paxman asked: Dawkins replied: Dawkins answer that “truth has value” is a not an answer to the question posed by Paxman. What he is essentially trying to “cover up” is the conclusion that there is no meaning and purpose in life if we are nothing more than the result of random evolutionary processes. That conclusion is too depressing and sad for most people (and probably would not make people want to buy his book!) However, the conclusion that we have meaning and purpose in life can only stem from the knowledge that we are made in God’s image and that God loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for us. Toward the end of the interview there is a revealing interaction between Paxman and Dawkins: Obviously Dawkins and Paxman think adults such as myself and my readers are stupid and ignorant for believing that the Bible presents actual truth. So why does Dawkins care? Because of the children that are being “misled” and “denied” knowing about the wonderful world we live in. Once again, Dawkins is inconsistent with his worldview. Since an atheist has no ultimate foundation for morality, why is it wrong to lie? If when we die we just go to dust and that’s it, then why does it matter what I believe and teach my children while I’m living? I pray that rather than being discouraged by Dawkins and his book, you are motivated and encouraged because resources are available that start with God’s Word as truth to teach your children and teens the right answers to these questions. How old is the universe? Why do the continents look like disconnected pieces of a puzzle? What causes tsunamis? Why are there so many kinds of plants and animals? Who was the first man, or woman? Every home with children needs copies of The Answers Books (1–3) for adults, The Answers Book for Teens (just released!) and The Answers Books for Kids (1–4). Keep fighting the good fight of the faith (1 Timothy 6:12)! https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2011/10/05/dawkins-targeting-teenagers-with-anti-christian-propaganda/ I love Dawkins so much! He's so helpful to our cause, since he constantly makes self-defeating, false statements about science, life, religion and God! Maybe more people could read his books soon to get saved!

The answer is, is a particular d- or non-d church preaching the false gospel of works or the true gospel? Everything else is almost negotiable!

Are your parents born again believers, giving wise counsel, or is that you are saved and they aren't? One leaves one's parents chief authority to be married (Genesis 2:24) as ordained by Jesus. However, there's a way to communicate your wishes to your parents that honors and blesses them, and keeps the peace.

What Paul did in the Areopagus was a stunning display of peacemaking and diplomacy, not picking a fight... "you have many gods, would you like to know the unknown god?" Most here identify as born again, I don't pick fights with born again Christians--while VERY much standing for truth.

Supernatural appearances can only be four things, pray to discern which of the four: 1) God 2) The devil/demons 3) Charlatans/fakers 4) Confused people misunderstanding natural phenomena

What is the purpose of picking a fight at Worthy? What purpose does this serve, especially picking/looking for a fight regarding the content of the holy scriptures?

Why are you hollering?

Per the rest of the scriptures, we certainly DO NOT submit to men when they ask us to break God's law and will. For example, we would not abort children even if living in a country with forced abortion. Thanks for raising that issue.

The entire chapter of Romans 14 has to do with submitting to authorities and others--we must pay Caesar sometimes. Take a look at the chapter prayerfully, I urge you. Providing individual verses out of context is not causing me to change my mind.

Hi, I'm a fundamentalist, saved by the holy Word of God through Jesus Christ. You can quote 50 more verses if you like, but Romans 14 is plain that we DO serve country and many others. Period.

Certain sins, including sexual immorality, will lead people to tears--but not stop the consequences from their acts. Trust Jesus--He has power to heal even broken sexual relationships.

"Got mitt uns" predates the Nazis, and was in use in Germany before then, but your point stands. Jesus asked US to give allegiance to earthly governance AND to support our honored soldiers, at numerous passages in both testaments. How do you make sense of Romans 14 apart from such an understanding?

Yes, you are correct. We are to please God (as above) and others (as in Romans 15) except for in the gospel, where we are not people-pleasers, but date to offend. But my point was I don't witness to unbelievers that if they stop doing anything worldly and stop having fun, they'll have the abundant life. Marriage, fellowship, the outdoors, sports and about a million other things give us joy, abundantly, when we're not drinking and drugging and adultering and coveting and lusting. So we agree!

I don't wish to put words in your mouth. I do see a reluctance for you to explore the biblical insights and the issues I'm throwing your way. Of course, I would only offer a churchgoing homosexual advice if they came out to me as a homosexual and if they asked for advice. Of course. I've already told you I've had church friends ask for advice with "their friends struggling with homosexuality", and when I say, "It's often past same sex abuse or dysfunctional same sex parenting," they respond, "It's really me who needed this advice. How did you know my history?" I've never said homosexuals have a higher libido than heterosexuals although some scientists and sexual health professionals have gone there. I'm rather saying that most of "gay/lesbian is genetic" has led to scientific studies explaining that individuals with high libidos are more likely to adulter outside marriage and/or pursue homosexual activity--this, as science often does--perfectly aligns with the Bible.

I sincerely apologize, it was not my desire to put words in your mouth. I appreciate reproof and correction. But recognize that many come to WCF to feel safe. On most other forums, evangelicals are strongly persecuted for their beliefs. It's been a bit unpleasant for you to tell me over and again that it's ignorant, ascientific and discriminatory to tell homosexuals I care for that they are not fully enjoying all God has for them, and need prayer, counseling, repentance and change.

I don't understand how you can argue these topics without knowing that for many years now, magazines in the supermarkets tout science's advances in unlocking the secrets of gay genes and adultery genes--these are lay reports about scientific studies all of which say that genetic tendencies towards a high libido are significantly correlated with adultery and homosexuality--put in other words, horny people have more sex or try to, via a variety of outlets--and the Bible is (again) right on an all-important subject of interest. There are also some newly discovered gene markers that some scientists could think correlate to homosexuality without being tied yet per se to libido. I didn't say "Christians are tolerant", I said "people of faith". People who love Jesus Christ and imitate His humility, His tolerance, His inclusion of women and children and the poor and oppressed far beyond the cultures of His time--ARE tolerant. BORN AGAIN people who KNOW Jesus personally behave like Jesus, religious people who use a variety of religious names and labels including "Christian", are somewhat tolerant, sometimes far less so. If I find the psychologist's statement that 298 of 300 male patients were victims of sexual abuse and/or dysfunctional relationships with fathers/grandfathers/guardians, I'll cite it here. In the meantime, what is my agenda for lying to say "Since I learned that many years ago, I've tallied all the gays and lesbians I personally knew plus all the witnessing I've done to correlate that statement"? I wan't lying, and in the meantime, why don't you believe what the Bible says, so you may better interpret the conflicting data and agendas that exist, rather than say, "The Bible must be wrong, because current science, including gray sciences like psychology and human sexuality studies, must be right"?

You're not interested in discussing whether people are born gay or whether imprinting--such as from first/early sexual experiences with same sex persons--like when prepubescent children are abused by same sex older persons--guides someone's future orientation?! You're not interested in discussing whether science is saying being gay/lesbian is inherited, not heritable and not due to imprinting? You're disinterested in learning how addressing that early trauma could lead to a person developing a heterosexual orientation when the trauma is healed/resolved?! Then why did you ask for sources? There ARE scientific sources acknowledging the validity of imprinting . . . To answer your question, the world is doing a very, very, very thorough job of telling Bible-believers they are being hostile towards gays and lesbians! I don't think "more help" is required to tell Christians when they're being intolerant. People of faith ARE tolerant.

I'm not hostile, don't throw other people's misunderstandings at me. I ask again, "How can you possibly discuss human sexuality without knowing that imprinting is a real phenomenon?" Would you like some science papers so you can read how the first sexual experience(s) humans and animals have imprints them powerfully, or do you wish to simply accept this as natural law?

Thomas, I don't need to cite sources to demonstrate natural law. How can you possibly discuss human sexuality without knowing that imprinting is a real phenomenon? And countless young people have come out the parents in the last few decades, angry, bitter, hostile--because the prevailing wisdom says, "you are gay and if you're parents are uptight about it, stuff them"!

Hi Thomas, So you don't want to do as I do, learn from one another? You simply want to argue with me, refute me? I didn't bring up "parents should refrain from wanting to determine sexual orientation", I said "counselors are telling young people be hostile, aggressive, reject their parents," which is horrible, terrible, evil, destructive. And your response shows you neither give credence nor wish to investigate further all I've said regarding possible orientation changes. You can Google "sexual imprinting in the animal kingdom", "heritable versus inheritable traits", and etc. to find white papers and scientific surveys backing what I'm asserting, but WCF is the wrong forum to say, "Science trumps all". It doesn't, modern science is wrong on some all-important areas, including "gays are born gay".

Here is more on applying Matthew 18: from a friend's daily newsletter... "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus desires His church to be united in love, but many churches today are hopelessly divided, filled with bitterness, gossip, and unreconciled relationships. Applying today's verse could change all that. The solutions are really simple although they are not easy. If you see your brother sin, you go talk to him about it. Pretty simple, isn't it? You don't talk to others about it (that's gossip). You don't just ignore it (that's apathy). You talk to the person who committed the sin. How should I do this? Since these are often difficult conversations, I suggest you first talk to God. Ask Him for wisdom to choose the right words and the courage to approach your brother. Next, make sure your motive is one of love; you're not a critical fault-finder and you're not to attack the person. Rather you're trying to help him be a better follower of Jesus. Finally, approach him in private; your goal isn't to humiliate him in front of others. Your goal is to "win your brother" and you'll know you've done that if he sincerely listens to you. What should you say? Often you need to begin by establishing the facts. A good way to do this is by asking good questions. For instance, "It's come to my attention that you __________. Did you say that?" or "Did you do that?" Once the fact of what was said or done is established, ask "Do you realize that's wrong?" or "Do you think you should have done that?" As the conversation goes on, there certainly is a place to straightforwardly say, "What you said/did was wrong. You really need to confess that to God and make things right with the people you've offended." Hopefully, exposing his sin and challenging him on it will lead to repentance and reconciliation. What if it doesn't? Then you come back to him a second time bringing one or two more believers with you. Make sure these people are mature and respected believers. They are there to establish that he really did do what you claim he did, agree or disagree that it really was a sin, and if it was, to bring appropriate pressure upon the person to repent. Suppose he won't listen to them? At that point, you increase the pressure by telling the church and asking the entire church body to unite in urging him to repent. And should he not even listen to the entire church, then he has so dishonored the Lord and is living in such unrepentant sin that the entire church is to refuse fellowship with him. Obviously, this entire process is a pretty heavy discipline. No one should let it get this far without involving wise and mature people in the repentance/reconciliation process -- hopefully by step two. But the gravity of this whole process illustrates how important it is to Jesus that His church maintain and protect its love and unity. A church divided is a church defeated. A church filled with bitter, unforgiving people who gossip about one another is impotent in the things of God. Unity brings power. It takes work to preserve God-given unity, but its certainly worth the effort to do so.

You agreed with the rest of my post? You only had two points of discord? That's wonderful. 1) In the USA, teen advocates, social workers, school workers, etc. are encouraged to have young people who think they're gay or are gay to tell their parents, to "come out of the closet", and if their parents object, to stand up for their rights to the point of hostility. This dishonors and destroys families. Obviously, parents and children need to show love in these and other situations, but what can we expect from secular "wisdom", the kind of "wisdom" that gave us the Kinsey documents and destroyed most of godly human sexuality in the USA? 2) When scientists and secular magazines in the USA say "they think they may have found a gay gene," it is the same genetics as "the adultery gene", that is, genetic predispositions toward extra hormones in people that make them more libidinous. More libidinous people tend toward adultery, which makes logical sense. The Bible says lust can also spill over into homosexual behavior. As always, the Bible is 100% correct--witness the many men who only perform homosexual activity while imprisoned. There is a heritable tendency toward adultery and homosexuality--hormones that are increased to produce increased libido, but there is no "gay gene" or "adultery gene", which gene would also logically eliminate guilt on behalf of the sinner. There is no "gay gene" since identical twins sometimes include one gay twin and one straight twin, etc.

Hi Thomas, Here are some notes I have taken on the issues: · We have a lot of issues regarding homosexuality that touches the Christian church · Debate regarding homosexuality today revolves around marriage, tolerance and whether homosexuality is a choice (per the Bible) or a fixed orientation (per current psychology, genetics, etc.). Also, whether a homosexual may change to become heterosexual. Is that possible? · Bible – 18 mentions, none positive, plus Jesus reaffirmed marriage is a man, woman and God · Heritability versus inheritability – we hear things like a gene has been found; (people who are tall or more likely to play basketball professionally—heritability, but saying “he has a basketball gene” is offensive—inherited trait—homosexuality is heritable to libido—more libidinous people tend toward adultery/homosexuality as an outlet, just as the scripture says · Desire may not be a choice, but action is—I may not be able to help having passions, but I can help not acting on them—abstinence isn’t just for Christian gays, it’s for unmarried Christian straights · There are myths about being unable to change – the reality is that some homosexuals will live a life of abstinence but others will be heterosexual later—this must be true since married men who had sex to birth children later say “I’m gay” when they WERE bisexual or heterosexual, so the other direction must be possible, logically · What is the root cause of homosexuality if it is as the Bible says, and as genetics agrees, lust spilled over into unusual channels? Psychiatrist 300 cases as I mentioned– all same sex dissolution or sex abuse, often prepubescent or both · The future – it is normal to be prepubescent and think the opposite sex has “coodies”, now the world tells little boys and girls who dislike the opposite sex they’re gay, to be angry and dishonor their families when they come out, encouraged public demonstrations of sexuality and gay marriage—which the ancients disallowed – this is like a sign of the end times. · Homosexuals and bisexuals in the church need love, tolerance but most importantly, healing of past hurts and to be around good role models – strong family men and women

Stay focused, the big issue with Rome is they change the biblical gospel from "Trust Jesus, His death and resurrection atone for ALL sin" to "Trust the church of Rome and your very hard work to hopefully, maybe, atone for your sin, or at least most of it".

We can be most direct, then--here's a LITERAL answer, from Romans 14: For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit... Does that help?