Christianity is unique among the belief systems. It is a system that deals in absolutes. Therefore, it demands a commitment. It is either absolutely true or absolutely false. There is no middle ground. There is no room for compromise. If Christianity is true, then it necessarily follows that belief systems that contradict it are false. A person cannot believe mutually exclusive ideas and remain consistent in any way. There can be no truth that says, “Christ is the only way” and also says, “Any way will do.” Such reasoning is nothing but double-talk.
Christianity creates problems for people who want to make their own rules and set their own standards. If Christianity is true, then it necessarily follows that God has made certain demands on the human race based on His righteous perfection and on man’s fallen state of sinfulness. Such words are not popular with modern, “enlightened” mankind. If Christianity is true, then it necessarily follows that the entire Bible is true, also. If the Bible is true, then man is not merely an animal free to act like one. There is Someone outside of man to Whom he must answer.
Christianity is under attack on several fronts, but it is not difficult to discern who is behind these attacks. Satan himself has been fighting God since the very beginning when he very foolishly determined in his heart to “be like God.” His jealousy and pride caused him to rebel against his Creator. He hates humanity with an everlasting hatred, because man is God's special creation. He will stop at nothing to deceive human beings and ruin their lives.
There are two facts which are the target of Satanic opposition, because on these two facts hang the reality of Christianity. Without these facts, Christianity falls. With them, it triumphs absolutely, because they validate all the rest of the Bible. These two facts are the creation by God of the universe and all that is in it, including man, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Creation
Much is made today of the value of each individual’s experiences. Young people are being taught to believe that what they think and how they feel are of far greater significance than any objective reality and truth. However, our experiences are unreliable. Truth does not come from within us. It comes from God's revelation in nature and in His Word. This, of course, is not popular thinking today among those who hold to a naturalistic interpretation of life that says we are merely animals who are the product of chance, without any absolutes and without any Deity to whom we must answer. Dr. Henry Morris addresses this situation quite accurately, as follows:
“...evolution did not originate with Darwin. Evolutionism is basic in ancient and modern ethnic religions and in all forms of pantheism. Naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace admitted that he received the basic tenets of the Darwinian form of this heresy while in an occult trance in a Malaysian jungle. It does not take a theologian to figure out the identity of the revealer. Satan and his evolutionary gospel hate God as the Creator, Christ as the Savior, and the Bible as the Word of God. Modern evolutionism is simply the continuation of Satan's long war against God” (Henry M. Morris, Ph.D., The Long War Against God).
It is obvious that the modern-day abuse of drugs can also lead to the same type of “revelation.” Worship of any thing or any being other than the one true God is, whether intentional or not, worship of Satan. Evolution, reincarnation, occultism, Eastern religions, and the use of drugs all go together. There can be no doubt that Satan uses every device possible to open the mind to his revelations. These devices certainly include occult trances, some types of meditation, and hallucinogenic drugs. Anything seen in a vision or dream brought on by these tools of Satan is unreliable, no matter how real he may make it seem. Remember that he is the great liar and the great counterfeiter of the truth. “...Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies” (John 8:44, NASB). We are warned in the Scripture not to be ignorant of his devices.
The first, and most foundational fact of all, is found in Genesis 1:1. “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” One look at the sky on a starry night absolutely underscores the truth of creation as recorded in the book of Genesis. Our God is infinitely powerful and without peer. He can do in a moment what mere chance could never do, not even in the billions of years vainly imagined by evolutionary scientists.
There are those who claim that the Genesis account has no validity because it is taken from the Bible and is, therefore, only “religion.” However, those who choose to disbelieve God’s creative acts offer nothing credible as an alternative. All they have been able to present is an absurd idea that is utterly without credibility. That idea is, of course, called evolution. Evolution is so without merit that it deserves very little attention, except as an example of the foolish lengths to which man will go in his efforts to establish himself as some kind of a god in place of the one true God.
Evolution is intellectually bankrupt. There is major dishonesty involved. Evolutionary scientists claim to be scientific in their approach, but they do not use the scientific method, at least concerning the subject of evolution. Rather, they look for data to support their preconceived notions. These scientists are very good at claiming that scientists who are creationists are not scientists at all, simply because they do not accept the dogma of evolution. This does not sound like a very scientific argument, does it? Many evolutionists hold to the position that “We know evolution is true, even though we don't know how it works, and we have never seen it happen.” Such a statement would almost be funny if it were not so pathetic and so dangerous.
Creation accepts miracles by an all-powerful God. Evolution accepts miracles by chance, even though evolutionists deny the miraculous. Evolutionary scientists claim that the universe spontaneously created itself out of nothing, and that life spontaneously came from non-living materials. One scientist has even said the following: “Our universe is simply one of those things which happen from time to time.” Such a statement is so bizarre that it does not deserve to be dignified by a response. It makes a great deal more sense to believe that God can do miracles than it does to believe that natural processes can do miracles. Christianity is reasonable. Atheism, evolution, and the like are absurd at best, representing man’s efforts to wish God out of existence so he can excuse himself for his sinful behavior.
While evolutionists refuse to believe in miracles performed by a miracle-working God, they are more than willing to believe in miracles performed by mere chance; in other words, by no one. Obviously, these “naturalistic miracles” would fall more into the category of “fairy tales” than they would of “science.”
Fairy tales are a part of most young children’s lives. Children seem to enjoy fantasy and make-believe. Sad to say, there are some fairy tales that are believed today, even by adults, who then accuse Christians of “believing in fairy tales.” The Lord Jesus Christ said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32, NASB). Those who know Him are the only ones who have a solid foundation of truth for their lives. That is why the teaching of truth is so important in Christian schools. We understand the importance of equipping the minds of children and young people to resist the empty philosophies and “fairy tales” of this world.
Those who reject truth are often very quick to identify Christians as unrealistic and naive. They claim Christians are simple-minded for believing in the Creator-God, the sinfulness of man, the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His bodily resurrection, and His second coming. The foundation of each person's thinking lies in his view of origins, so that is where a discussion of such thinking should begin.
Let us suppose that a prominent scientist begins to propound the idea that computers are not made through any organized and logical process; instead, they came into a being through a random process of evolution over millions of years. Obviously, there would be those who object to this teaching on the grounds of common sense or realistic knowledge of how computers are made. These objectors would be ridiculed as naive and stupid, out of touch with the latest scientific discoveries, and brainwashed by old-fashioned thinking. A great effort would be made to stop the schools from teaching the idea that computers are made by computer manufacturers. Severe doubt would be cast on whether computer manufacturers even exist, and some would come right out with blatant statements of “fact” that they do not exist. Schools would ultimately be prevented from even mentioning the idea of computer manufacturing as a theory or alternative model for the origin of computers, and they would be required to teach the evolution of computers as a fact.
In reality, anyone espousing such a belief would be laughed at unmercifully and would not be taken seriously by anyone. However, as absurd as that little story is, it makes infinitely more sense than what is actually happening. Computers are complicated. One incorrect keystroke at the wrong time can cripple a computer or an entire network of computers. Erase a key file, and a computer becomes an expensive paperweight until it is repaired by someone who is competent in computer maintenance. It will not repair itself. However, computers are nothing in comparison to the complexity of the universe and all it contains. It is immeasurably more likely that a state-of-the art computer network, including software, could come into being and begin working by accident than is that the human body could come about by random processes, no matter how many billions of years the evolutionists arbitrarily grant themselves.
Undaunted by reality, evolutionists nevertheless continue to insist on the absurd as absolute fact. Never mind that evolution is a mathematical impossibility. Never mind that there is not one shred of evidence for evolution. Never mind that all the evidence points toward a great watery catastrophe, such as the flood of Noah, indicating a much younger earth than the billions of years so desperately hoped for by evolutionists. Never mind that evolution cannot be repeated, duplicated, or otherwise subjected to the scientific method. Never mind that the fossil record has thousands of major gaps between species that have never been adequately explained by evolutionists. Never mind that cross-breeding of species does not work, and the limited cross-breeding that is successful produces sterile offspring. Never mind that the geological column, so prominently pictured in science books as a proof for evolution, does not exist as pictured anywhere on earth. Never mind that the very idea of evolution violates the known laws of the universe, including the second law of thermodynamics and the law that says spontaneous generation does not occur. Never mind that evolution is patently absurd and defies all common sense. And never mind that the doctrine of evolution calls God a liar! But the Bible says, “...let God be found true, though every man be found a liar...” (Romans 3:4, NASB).
The evolutionists’ doctrinal position remains the same: “Evolution is true. It has to be. The only other option involves God, and that is clearly unacceptable. Anyone who rejects evolution is ignorant and ought to know enough to believe the scientists.” The Scripture makes it clear that those who hold to such a position are “willingly ignorant” of the truth. They have chosen, because of their sinful nature, to be in a state of unbelief, because they desperately want God not to exist. The only possible reason to reduce man to an animal is to justify animal behavior without accountability to anyone, especially God. That is why evolution, as a chosen system of belief, is a religious doctrine rather than a scientific theory.
Evolution is a lie, plain and simple, and it comes from the father of lies, Satan himself. Dr. Henry Morris said, “...there has never been a greater deception in all history than the lie of evolution! The very notion that this mighty and infinitely complex cosmos, with its amazing array of living creatures and spiritual realities, could somehow create itself out of primeval chaos (or even out of nothing, as modern cosmogonists are suggesting) is nonsense of the highest order” (Henry M. Morris, Ph.D., The Long War Against God, p. 256). The very idea of evolution is so ridiculous as to be laughable. However, as bizarre as it is, it is not funny, because of the fact that it is so deadly to the souls of men. It is a doctrine of demons, contributing to the lost condition and eternal condemnation of unbelievers.
So who believes in fairy tales? Is it the Christian who believes God’s Word and looks at the grand design of the universe and sees the hand of the Designer behind it? Or is it the evolutionist who looks at the grand design of the universe and concludes that it all came about as the result of an accident? Not really a hard question.
The reality of God’s creation establishes the truth of Genesis 1:1. This is the foundational passage that establishes the truth of all the rest. The motivation of the evolutionists is obvious. They want to destroy the foundation in people’s minds in order to undercut the Bible and Christianity. Then man becomes free to do as he pleases. “If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3, NASB). The only problem for the humanist is that the foundations have not been destroyed. Instead, all of the efforts of man to undermine and destroy the truth have actually done a great job of further establishing God’s Word as true. There is no excuse for doubting God’s Word, His creative acts, or the truth of Christianity. All who do so will ultimately be held accountable for their willing ignorance.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Christianity stands alone among the “world religions” for two very important reasons. First of all, we Christians have a God who loves us. The majority of the people in this world worship gods who are angry and must be appeased, while our God, the Creator of all things, loves us, cares for us, and shows His grace to us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Second, we have a risen Savior rather than a dead prophet. “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:5-6). Our Lord Jesus Christ has defeated death, the thing that all of mankind fears, and He has made salvation a reality. His resurrection validates Christianity, the Gospel, and the Bible in its entirety. It is utter foolishness to reject Him, when his miraculous resurrection, that validates all truth, has been established beyond question.
The resurrection is a more solid historical fact, based on eyewitnesses and documentation, than many other facts that people believe without question. Very few would doubt that Ben Franklin flew a kite with a key on it, that George Washington crossed the Delaware, or that Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. Why do we believe these things? We believe them because there were eyewitnesses, and the events were documented and are now in the history books. Yet, many events found in history books are less provable historically than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was seen alive after his death by many individuals and groups, one of which was larger than five hundred, and much documentation has been written attesting to the facts surrounding His resurrection.
It is interesting that this event is left out of history books, while many other far less established events are included. The reason is obvious. Men do not want to accept this truth, because it validates all of God's truth, and that places great responsibility on humanity to respond appropriately to the truth. It is much easier to be intellectually dishonest about the resurrection and relegate it to merely being “religious belief,” while claiming it is some kind of violation of the so-called “separation of church and state” to allow this truth to be taught and accepted as fact. It often boils down to the fact that many people make a deliberate choice to believe what they want to believe, regardless of the truth.
Truth is consistent with the facts. Certain historical events are factual, based on the standards for establishment of historicity, even though they are rejected by many who do not want to believe them.
· Irrefutable historical fact: Jesus Christ walked the earth.
· Irrefutable historical fact: Jesus Christ was crucified and died.
· Irrefutable historical fact: Jesus Christ rose again from the dead.
No amount of hiding the truth on the part of those who write history will ever change the facts. The fact of the resurrection absolutely establishes the truth of all of the Scripture and the validity of Christianity and the Gospel. Many people choose not to believe the truth, because it requires something of them. Anyone who does so is only fooling himself.
Conclusion
The great message of Christianity is that the God who created all things, the God who loves us, gave His Son as a sacrifice for our sins, and that He not only died for us, He defeated death forever by His resurrection. God does not ask us to feel anything or to have an emotional experience, although some do. He only asks us to have simple, childlike faith in Him and what He has already done for us. When all is said and done, all human endeavor and all human wisdom will evaporate into ashes, and the one important issue will be each individual’s answer to the question asked so long ago by Pilate during the trial of Jesus. “What shall I do then with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22).
Christianity creates problems for people who want to make their own rules and set their own standards. If Christianity is true, then it necessarily follows that God has made certain demands on the human race based on His righteous perfection and on man’s fallen state of sinfulness. Such words are not popular with modern, “enlightened” mankind. If Christianity is true, then it necessarily follows that the entire Bible is true, also. If the Bible is true, then man is not merely an animal free to act like one. There is Someone outside of man to Whom he must answer.
Christianity is under attack on several fronts, but it is not difficult to discern who is behind these attacks. Satan himself has been fighting God since the very beginning when he very foolishly determined in his heart to “be like God.” His jealousy and pride caused him to rebel against his Creator. He hates humanity with an everlasting hatred, because man is God's special creation. He will stop at nothing to deceive human beings and ruin their lives.
There are two facts which are the target of Satanic opposition, because on these two facts hang the reality of Christianity. Without these facts, Christianity falls. With them, it triumphs absolutely, because they validate all the rest of the Bible. These two facts are the creation by God of the universe and all that is in it, including man, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Creation
Much is made today of the value of each individual’s experiences. Young people are being taught to believe that what they think and how they feel are of far greater significance than any objective reality and truth. However, our experiences are unreliable. Truth does not come from within us. It comes from God's revelation in nature and in His Word. This, of course, is not popular thinking today among those who hold to a naturalistic interpretation of life that says we are merely animals who are the product of chance, without any absolutes and without any Deity to whom we must answer. Dr. Henry Morris addresses this situation quite accurately, as follows:
“...evolution did not originate with Darwin. Evolutionism is basic in ancient and modern ethnic religions and in all forms of pantheism. Naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace admitted that he received the basic tenets of the Darwinian form of this heresy while in an occult trance in a Malaysian jungle. It does not take a theologian to figure out the identity of the revealer. Satan and his evolutionary gospel hate God as the Creator, Christ as the Savior, and the Bible as the Word of God. Modern evolutionism is simply the continuation of Satan's long war against God” (Henry M. Morris, Ph.D., The Long War Against God).
It is obvious that the modern-day abuse of drugs can also lead to the same type of “revelation.” Worship of any thing or any being other than the one true God is, whether intentional or not, worship of Satan. Evolution, reincarnation, occultism, Eastern religions, and the use of drugs all go together. There can be no doubt that Satan uses every device possible to open the mind to his revelations. These devices certainly include occult trances, some types of meditation, and hallucinogenic drugs. Anything seen in a vision or dream brought on by these tools of Satan is unreliable, no matter how real he may make it seem. Remember that he is the great liar and the great counterfeiter of the truth. “...Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies” (John 8:44, NASB). We are warned in the Scripture not to be ignorant of his devices.
The first, and most foundational fact of all, is found in Genesis 1:1. “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” One look at the sky on a starry night absolutely underscores the truth of creation as recorded in the book of Genesis. Our God is infinitely powerful and without peer. He can do in a moment what mere chance could never do, not even in the billions of years vainly imagined by evolutionary scientists.
There are those who claim that the Genesis account has no validity because it is taken from the Bible and is, therefore, only “religion.” However, those who choose to disbelieve God’s creative acts offer nothing credible as an alternative. All they have been able to present is an absurd idea that is utterly without credibility. That idea is, of course, called evolution. Evolution is so without merit that it deserves very little attention, except as an example of the foolish lengths to which man will go in his efforts to establish himself as some kind of a god in place of the one true God.
Evolution is intellectually bankrupt. There is major dishonesty involved. Evolutionary scientists claim to be scientific in their approach, but they do not use the scientific method, at least concerning the subject of evolution. Rather, they look for data to support their preconceived notions. These scientists are very good at claiming that scientists who are creationists are not scientists at all, simply because they do not accept the dogma of evolution. This does not sound like a very scientific argument, does it? Many evolutionists hold to the position that “We know evolution is true, even though we don't know how it works, and we have never seen it happen.” Such a statement would almost be funny if it were not so pathetic and so dangerous.
Creation accepts miracles by an all-powerful God. Evolution accepts miracles by chance, even though evolutionists deny the miraculous. Evolutionary scientists claim that the universe spontaneously created itself out of nothing, and that life spontaneously came from non-living materials. One scientist has even said the following: “Our universe is simply one of those things which happen from time to time.” Such a statement is so bizarre that it does not deserve to be dignified by a response. It makes a great deal more sense to believe that God can do miracles than it does to believe that natural processes can do miracles. Christianity is reasonable. Atheism, evolution, and the like are absurd at best, representing man’s efforts to wish God out of existence so he can excuse himself for his sinful behavior.
While evolutionists refuse to believe in miracles performed by a miracle-working God, they are more than willing to believe in miracles performed by mere chance; in other words, by no one. Obviously, these “naturalistic miracles” would fall more into the category of “fairy tales” than they would of “science.”
Fairy tales are a part of most young children’s lives. Children seem to enjoy fantasy and make-believe. Sad to say, there are some fairy tales that are believed today, even by adults, who then accuse Christians of “believing in fairy tales.” The Lord Jesus Christ said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32, NASB). Those who know Him are the only ones who have a solid foundation of truth for their lives. That is why the teaching of truth is so important in Christian schools. We understand the importance of equipping the minds of children and young people to resist the empty philosophies and “fairy tales” of this world.
Those who reject truth are often very quick to identify Christians as unrealistic and naive. They claim Christians are simple-minded for believing in the Creator-God, the sinfulness of man, the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His bodily resurrection, and His second coming. The foundation of each person's thinking lies in his view of origins, so that is where a discussion of such thinking should begin.
Let us suppose that a prominent scientist begins to propound the idea that computers are not made through any organized and logical process; instead, they came into a being through a random process of evolution over millions of years. Obviously, there would be those who object to this teaching on the grounds of common sense or realistic knowledge of how computers are made. These objectors would be ridiculed as naive and stupid, out of touch with the latest scientific discoveries, and brainwashed by old-fashioned thinking. A great effort would be made to stop the schools from teaching the idea that computers are made by computer manufacturers. Severe doubt would be cast on whether computer manufacturers even exist, and some would come right out with blatant statements of “fact” that they do not exist. Schools would ultimately be prevented from even mentioning the idea of computer manufacturing as a theory or alternative model for the origin of computers, and they would be required to teach the evolution of computers as a fact.
In reality, anyone espousing such a belief would be laughed at unmercifully and would not be taken seriously by anyone. However, as absurd as that little story is, it makes infinitely more sense than what is actually happening. Computers are complicated. One incorrect keystroke at the wrong time can cripple a computer or an entire network of computers. Erase a key file, and a computer becomes an expensive paperweight until it is repaired by someone who is competent in computer maintenance. It will not repair itself. However, computers are nothing in comparison to the complexity of the universe and all it contains. It is immeasurably more likely that a state-of-the art computer network, including software, could come into being and begin working by accident than is that the human body could come about by random processes, no matter how many billions of years the evolutionists arbitrarily grant themselves.
Undaunted by reality, evolutionists nevertheless continue to insist on the absurd as absolute fact. Never mind that evolution is a mathematical impossibility. Never mind that there is not one shred of evidence for evolution. Never mind that all the evidence points toward a great watery catastrophe, such as the flood of Noah, indicating a much younger earth than the billions of years so desperately hoped for by evolutionists. Never mind that evolution cannot be repeated, duplicated, or otherwise subjected to the scientific method. Never mind that the fossil record has thousands of major gaps between species that have never been adequately explained by evolutionists. Never mind that cross-breeding of species does not work, and the limited cross-breeding that is successful produces sterile offspring. Never mind that the geological column, so prominently pictured in science books as a proof for evolution, does not exist as pictured anywhere on earth. Never mind that the very idea of evolution violates the known laws of the universe, including the second law of thermodynamics and the law that says spontaneous generation does not occur. Never mind that evolution is patently absurd and defies all common sense. And never mind that the doctrine of evolution calls God a liar! But the Bible says, “...let God be found true, though every man be found a liar...” (Romans 3:4, NASB).
The evolutionists’ doctrinal position remains the same: “Evolution is true. It has to be. The only other option involves God, and that is clearly unacceptable. Anyone who rejects evolution is ignorant and ought to know enough to believe the scientists.” The Scripture makes it clear that those who hold to such a position are “willingly ignorant” of the truth. They have chosen, because of their sinful nature, to be in a state of unbelief, because they desperately want God not to exist. The only possible reason to reduce man to an animal is to justify animal behavior without accountability to anyone, especially God. That is why evolution, as a chosen system of belief, is a religious doctrine rather than a scientific theory.
Evolution is a lie, plain and simple, and it comes from the father of lies, Satan himself. Dr. Henry Morris said, “...there has never been a greater deception in all history than the lie of evolution! The very notion that this mighty and infinitely complex cosmos, with its amazing array of living creatures and spiritual realities, could somehow create itself out of primeval chaos (or even out of nothing, as modern cosmogonists are suggesting) is nonsense of the highest order” (Henry M. Morris, Ph.D., The Long War Against God, p. 256). The very idea of evolution is so ridiculous as to be laughable. However, as bizarre as it is, it is not funny, because of the fact that it is so deadly to the souls of men. It is a doctrine of demons, contributing to the lost condition and eternal condemnation of unbelievers.
So who believes in fairy tales? Is it the Christian who believes God’s Word and looks at the grand design of the universe and sees the hand of the Designer behind it? Or is it the evolutionist who looks at the grand design of the universe and concludes that it all came about as the result of an accident? Not really a hard question.
The reality of God’s creation establishes the truth of Genesis 1:1. This is the foundational passage that establishes the truth of all the rest. The motivation of the evolutionists is obvious. They want to destroy the foundation in people’s minds in order to undercut the Bible and Christianity. Then man becomes free to do as he pleases. “If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3, NASB). The only problem for the humanist is that the foundations have not been destroyed. Instead, all of the efforts of man to undermine and destroy the truth have actually done a great job of further establishing God’s Word as true. There is no excuse for doubting God’s Word, His creative acts, or the truth of Christianity. All who do so will ultimately be held accountable for their willing ignorance.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Christianity stands alone among the “world religions” for two very important reasons. First of all, we Christians have a God who loves us. The majority of the people in this world worship gods who are angry and must be appeased, while our God, the Creator of all things, loves us, cares for us, and shows His grace to us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Second, we have a risen Savior rather than a dead prophet. “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:5-6). Our Lord Jesus Christ has defeated death, the thing that all of mankind fears, and He has made salvation a reality. His resurrection validates Christianity, the Gospel, and the Bible in its entirety. It is utter foolishness to reject Him, when his miraculous resurrection, that validates all truth, has been established beyond question.
The resurrection is a more solid historical fact, based on eyewitnesses and documentation, than many other facts that people believe without question. Very few would doubt that Ben Franklin flew a kite with a key on it, that George Washington crossed the Delaware, or that Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. Why do we believe these things? We believe them because there were eyewitnesses, and the events were documented and are now in the history books. Yet, many events found in history books are less provable historically than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was seen alive after his death by many individuals and groups, one of which was larger than five hundred, and much documentation has been written attesting to the facts surrounding His resurrection.
It is interesting that this event is left out of history books, while many other far less established events are included. The reason is obvious. Men do not want to accept this truth, because it validates all of God's truth, and that places great responsibility on humanity to respond appropriately to the truth. It is much easier to be intellectually dishonest about the resurrection and relegate it to merely being “religious belief,” while claiming it is some kind of violation of the so-called “separation of church and state” to allow this truth to be taught and accepted as fact. It often boils down to the fact that many people make a deliberate choice to believe what they want to believe, regardless of the truth.
Truth is consistent with the facts. Certain historical events are factual, based on the standards for establishment of historicity, even though they are rejected by many who do not want to believe them.
· Irrefutable historical fact: Jesus Christ walked the earth.
· Irrefutable historical fact: Jesus Christ was crucified and died.
· Irrefutable historical fact: Jesus Christ rose again from the dead.
No amount of hiding the truth on the part of those who write history will ever change the facts. The fact of the resurrection absolutely establishes the truth of all of the Scripture and the validity of Christianity and the Gospel. Many people choose not to believe the truth, because it requires something of them. Anyone who does so is only fooling himself.
Conclusion
The great message of Christianity is that the God who created all things, the God who loves us, gave His Son as a sacrifice for our sins, and that He not only died for us, He defeated death forever by His resurrection. God does not ask us to feel anything or to have an emotional experience, although some do. He only asks us to have simple, childlike faith in Him and what He has already done for us. When all is said and done, all human endeavor and all human wisdom will evaporate into ashes, and the one important issue will be each individual’s answer to the question asked so long ago by Pilate during the trial of Jesus. “What shall I do then with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22).
Amen. I had this same conversation with a co-worker on 911 in the parking lot before school. It all came down to "Jesus said, "I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me."" She is convinced that anyway works and Jesus couldn't have really said that.
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