For
Articles In PDF Format.
Some of the Frequently Asked Questions on this page are followed by an
article in PDF format with a more thorough response. The initial
responses are only intended to provide a succinct, but thoughtful, insight
on the questions presented.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-
Question:
Doesn't the "virgin" birth violate the natural laws of procreation,
namely, the necessity of a partner ?
-
Question:
If God made the universe and everything in it, who made God?
-
Question:
Why is there such a dichotomy between the OT
God and the NT God (i.e. "eye for an eye" vs. "turn the other cheek")?
-
Question:
Why does God punish us for exercising our free will? Isn't it rather
tyrannical to first grant us free will , and later condemning us for
exercising it?
-
Question:
If God is so merciful, why is there a hell?
-
Question:
Science answers the question of origins by naturalistic methodology, so
why do we still need God?
-
Question:
Why does a loving God edict the blood shed of the innocent for atonement?
-
Question:
Since accepting Jesus is the only way, does God send dead babies to hell
because they didn't have the opportunity to proclaim their faith in
Christ?
-
Question:
Why is it necessary for a person to be a Christian instead of a moral
person?
-
Question:
Is Jesus the only way?
-
Question:
Why so many denominations?
-
Question:
Why do some atheists seem more "blessed" (financially) than many
Christians?
Question:
Is it wrong to have an abortion?
Question:
Doesn't the "virgin" birth violate the natural laws of procreation,
namely, the necessity of a partner ?
Answer:
The Bible is silent about how miracles operate, however, we know that God
does not violate His own natural laws---rather intervenes with
or
manipulates them. As William Dembski has written:
To define a miracle as
a violation or suspension or overriding of natural laws is already to
presuppose what nature is like (namely, that nature is a closed causal
nexus governed by inviolable rules). It is also to impose prior limits on
divine action.
[The Design Revolution,
183]
Naturally, mortals cannot create new life out of dust
either; or an entire universe out of nothing (ex
nihilo).
It is a category mistake to equate or compare modes of creation
(natural/supernatural) to contend against the virgin birth or incarnation
of Christ. The possibility of anything suddenly appearing without a cause
is simply absurd, certainly, a God who can speak the cosmos into existence
could have caused the conception of the child, Christ Jesus. It can also
be said that natural law has natural purpose, while supernatural law is
for divine purpose.
[More]
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Question:
If God made the universe and everything in it, who made God?
Answer:
It is illogical to assume that first causes continue to regress
infinitely; therefore, we are forced to conclude that there must be an
agent (like God) who is uncaused. In Christian Theism God is "that
which no greater can be conceived," so it follows that God is
the originator of all things. The fallacy of the question is that it
can be repeated
ad nauseum ad infinitum
without a satisfactory response. It is much like asking what comes before
zero and then continuing with negative numbers infinitely. The answer
would ultimately lead to a nihilistic conclusion and no cause to account
for the vast and beautiful universe we live in. Furthermore,
the question assumes that God is a finite being requiring causation; while
this may be true for a corporal object
(finite cause), this is not so for an unembodied
designer (eternal cause). Only corporal agents are subject to natural causation.
[More]
[PDF]
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Question:
Why is there such a dichotomy between the OT
God and the NT God (i.e. Eye for an Eye vs. Turn the other cheek)?
Answer:
When
reading the passages in context, Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21, it
is clear that they are simply pointing out that the punishment should
always fit the crime. These laws were given--not to the people, but to the
courts, the assemblies, judges, and priests of a theocracy.
In the NT we find Jesus in the role of a civil magistrate. He makes one
thing clear just a few verses before: "Do not think that I have come to
abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to
fulfill them" (Matt 5:17).
In verse 38, He says: "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye,
and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If
someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
This is precisely what is expected of all Christians; to "turn the
other cheek" (not to take "the Law" into our own hands). It is for the
law to punish justly; the punishment always fitting the crime (eye for an
eye) (also, see Matt. 18:21-22).
[More]
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Question:
Why does God punish us for exercising our free will? Isn't it rather
tyrannical to first grant us free will , and later condemning us for
exercising it?
Answer:
God grants us free will amongst many other things, but free will is not a
license to violate social order, or mar domestic harmony, or even violate
or misuse our bodies. Human behavior is for the most part destructive,
thus, a loving God (like a father) protects us from self destruction. We
are to be good stewards with the liberty He has provided so that our
volition does not violate order.
[More]
[PDF]
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Question:
If God is so merciful, why is there a hell?
Answer:
There is a hell because God
is,
in fact, merciful. The bible teaches that "God takes no pleasure in the
death of the wicked." A loving God quarantines sin for the sake of His
elect. The sinful man will receive
justice,
while His elect will receive
sanctification.
To illustrate, the notion of putting an atheist in God's presence
for all eternity after the atheist spent a lifetime denying Him would not
only be truly unjust, but also cruel.
[More]
[PDF]
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Question:
Science answers the question of origins by naturalistic methodology, so
why do we still need God?
Answer:
Science has NOT answered the question of origins or the universe's
incessant function. In fact, the universe and everything in it reveals
signs of design, more specifically, fine tuning, irreducible complexity,
and complex specified information. If left up to "chance" the universe
would literally cease to exist.
[More]
[PDF]
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Question:
Why does a loving God edict the blood shed of the innocent for atonement?
Answer:
It is true that the sacrificial agent must be unblemished or pure, and
that Christ suffered for the transgressions of others and not of His own
for He had not sinned. Atonement is not to be taken lightly, the
sacrifice alone is not the means by which a person is saved. The "ransom"
(Heb. kopher; Grk. antilutron) is not given without God's regard to a
contrite spirit. God is not concerned with the corporality of a subject as
He is with the subject's spirit. Therefore, a blood atonement is
adequate, since life is the highest concern of man, while eternal life is
the concern of God. In other words, while the highest degree of
punishment for the mortal is death and separation from the almighty,
eternity is God's highest degree of reward to a contrite spirit (quickened
by the power of the Holy Ghost). Christ, the Son of God, having been the
ultimate sacrifice finishes the work of atonement and providing eternal
security for His elect. The final atonement then produces in the believer
a living sacrifice of Godly discipline.
[More]
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Question:
Since accepting Jesus is the only way, does God send dead babies to hell
because they didn't have the opportunity to proclaim their faith in
Christ?
Answer:
There are several answers to this question within Christian orthodoxy. The Bible teaches that God has "chosen us in Him before the foundation
of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him (Ephes.1:4)." In other
words, the proclamation of Christ is inscribed in the hearts of His
elect, so the unborn are predestined to the Kingdom of God before
birth. Secondly, it can be said that since the premature death of a baby
impedes the actualization of sin, thereby posing no real threat whatsoever,
it would be unreasonable to conclude that God creates a being simply to
immediately condemn it. Finally, we have to also consider whether the
agent is cognizant of the implications of sin.
[More]
[PDF]
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Question:
Why is it necessary for a person to be a Christian instead of a moral
person?
Answer:
It is true that a person can be moral without being a Christian, however,
being moral does not rid our propensity to sin. For this reason we need a
Savior (Jesus Christ) who is unblemished and pure (1JN 1:10). He is our
advocate (1JN 2:1), and in Him we find rest. Morality is only our
interpretation of righteousness guided by a sinful nature. The quickening
(making
alive)
caused by the Holy Spirit, provided by the grace of God, through Christ
our redeemer is effectual to true sanctification.
[More]
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Question:
Is Jesus the only way?
Answer:
Yes, Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know
my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him."
All religions are mutually exclusive, yet Jesus Christ is the only person
to have made this claim about Himself. This claim rests on the
authority of the Bible supported by history, internal consistency,
predictive prophesy, archeology, manuscript evidence, and its power to
transform the heart.
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Question:
Why so many denominations?
Answer:
There are several reasons for this, and each denomination is independent
in this matter. Many Christian churches are honestly searching for
answers and considered non-denominational. Others espouse their doctrines
based on eisegetical contextual interpretations. Whatever the reason is,
there is no reason to discredit the claims of the Christian faith.
Denominations can be good, however, a person should always be careful when
choosing a church that holds to doctrines outside the pale of orthodoxy.
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Question:
Why do some atheists seem more "blessed" (financially) than many
Christians?
Answer:
The Christian is not concerned with material possessions. We are taught
in Scripture that we ought not to love two masters for our rewards await
us in heaven. In actuality, from a spiritual perspective, the atheist is
bankrupt. Ultimately, God provides our needs not necessarily all of our
desires.
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Question:
Is it wrong to have an abortion?
Answer: Yes. The "right to choose" is the euphemism for the
"right to murder." Human life, in the true biological sense, begins
at conception. The conceptus is, in every respect, human.
It is a baby going through a transitory stage of development.
Human life is not determined by its geographical location or the
acquired ability to exercise rights. Although humans are not just
biological entities, our human existence is determined at
conception, that is, if we are conceived, then we--by default--have the
right to live out our entire life.
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