Is Christianity True?

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).

Christian Schools With God Supreme

by James M. Bramblet

In chapter two it was indicated that Christian education is not curriculum-centered, child-centered, or society-centered, but that it is God-centered. The reason for this is that God is central to all things. We have seen that God is central to the created material world because it was made to “declare the glory of God” and to “show His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). We have seen that God is central to mankind because He is the original to which we have been created images. But the Bible says, “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things” (Rom. 11:36). Our finite minds cannot grasp all things but in this chapter we will try to bring together as many things as we can. We will show that God is central to all, God is supreme and in authority over all, and the glory of God is revealed by all (Rom. 11:36b).

When we talk about God being supreme, we are talking about the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we say that our Christian education is Christ-centered, we mean the same as when we say that it is God-centered. The first verse in the Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” In the New Testament we read concerning Christ:

“For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers—all things were created by Him and for Him; and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist” (Col. 1:16-17).

The Person and work of the three Persons of the Trinity are so intertwined that it is not easy for us to separate them. Christ says, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). He said to Philip, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). From other Scriptures we know He did not mean that He and the Father were the same person but, rather, that since He was the “express image” of God, to see Him was to see the Father. Christ is the “Word” or the member of the Godhead which expresses the nature of God. Paul taught this same truth when he said:

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Cor. 4:6).

We can only know God if we know Jesus Christ. To be godly is to be Christ-like. Since Christ is God, “Christ-centered” is the same as “God-centered.” When we say that God is supreme, we mean that Christ is supreme. That Christ is supreme is clearly stated in Col.1:18-19: “That in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.”

We will consider the supremacy and centrality of God in the following five areas: 1) God’s Word, the Bible, 2) The material world, 3) The nonmaterial world, 4) The world of sin and evil, and 5) The spiritual world.


Excerpted from Chapter 4 of An Introduction to the Christian School by James M. Bramblet, Copyright © 1985 by James M. Bramblet.

Legalism

“Legalism” is a word that is thrown around by many Christians, generally in a very inaccurate manner. Many seem to believe that legalism is anything or any situation that involves rules and standards rather than complete “freedom” to do as they please. Examples of such thinking abound, but the following few should suffice to illustrate the point:

▪ Often in a Christian school setting, there are complaints from students, and sadly, also from parents, that the school is too “legalistic.” By that, they mean that the school has rules, and students are actually expected to obey them.

▪ Frequently, people of various ages complain that their parents are or were “legalistic,” meaning that their parents had rules for their home and expected the children to obey those rules.

▪ Sometimes churches are referred to as “legalistic.” Generally, such churches are those with an expected standard of conduct and sometimes even an expected standard of dress.

By the kind of thinking expressed in the examples above, it is likely that Jonah could have said, “I ran away from God’s command because God is just too legalistic. He told me what to do and actually expected me to do it.”

All too often, believers fall into the trap of believing that Christian liberty means there are no rules, no standards, no commands, and that anything goes. This really does not square with what the Lord Jesus Christ said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” He did not say, “If you love me, do as you please.” Such teaching is foreign to the Scriptures, which teach us that our freedom is not the privilege of doing anything we please, but it is the freedom and power to do right by obeying the Lord. “For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God” (I Peter 2:15-16, NASB).

The Scriptures give us many rules for Christian conduct. Following are just a few:

"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12, NASB).

“Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Romans 13:13-14, NASB).

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:12-17, NASB).

“Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.’ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:19-22, NASB).

“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For, ‘The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. He must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it’” (1 Peter 3:8-11, NASB).

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love” (2 Peter 1:5-7, NASB).

Those who say there are no rules, no “do’s” and “don’ts” for Christians, will experience great difficulty dealing with the above and many other passages.

Another trap is the very popular idea today that Christians are to operate according to “relationships, not rules.” Jesus did not say, “If you love me, have good relationships.” Instead, He said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” There can be no such thing as good, solid, healthy relationships without “rules.” Unless relationships are based on truth, they can never succeed. Far too many Christians get hung up on the idea of unity. Unity becomes their mantra, even unity at all costs. Yet the Scriptures make it very clear that when truth and unity come into conflict, truth always takes precedence. (See John 17 and the book of 2 John.)

The big problem when the subject of “legalism” comes up is the total lack of understanding on the part of some believers relative to what legalism really is. It is important that we let the Bible define it for us. “Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved’" (Acts 15:1, NASB). This makes it clear that the Bible definition of “legalism” is that in order to be saved, a person must obey the Law of Moses or some other list of things to do and things to avoid. It amounts to salvation by works, which negates the grace of God. “Legalism” has to do with salvation, not with daily living. We could never be saved by obeying God’s commands. Scripture makes that abundantly clear. However, God’s moral law has never changed, and God has granted authority to those in charge to make “rules” and standards for all involved to obey. Without obedience, there can only be anarchy, and God is a God of order, not of confusion.

Real legalism, which is salvation by works, appeals to human nature. People want to believe they can do something to add to or even earn their salvation. It is likewise true that unlimited freedom with no restraint also appeals to human nature. Man wants to do as he pleases. What really does not appeal to fallen human nature is the truth that salvation is all of grace, and that after we are saved by grace, God expects us to live in obedience to Him. Man by nature rebels against this, yet it is God’s truth.

The Nature of Man

by James M. Bramblet

In the last chapter, we talked about the non-rational creation of God and how it reflects or “declares” the glory of God. We come now to the rational creation of God, or mankind. Man is sometimes spoken of as the “crown” of God’s creation because of the exalted position he was given. Man alone was given dominion over the rest of creation (Gen. 1:26, 28). Man alone is capable of fellowship with God (Gen, 3:0). Man will some day be called upon to judge the angels (I Cor. 6:3). Man will some day reign with Christ (Rev. 20:6). But the most outstanding statement concerning man in all of Scripture is that he is created in the image of God.

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:26-27).

The importance of this belief that man is created in the image of God can be pointed up by the almost frantic efforts of the secularists to dissuade people from believing it. The “man is an animal” theme has become almost a religious chant in secular textbooks and among evolutionary materialists. It is necessary to the basic doctrine of evolution that man be seen as simply a highly developed animal. This necessity explains the long but fruitless search for the “missing link” between animals and men.

The question of whether being created in the image of God includes man’s body has been debated for centuries. Views have ranged all the way from believing that God and man are of the same essence, only God is more highly developed, to the belief that man’s body evolved from the lower animals and then God injected a soul and spirit to create man. Obviously, both of these extreme views are contrary to Scripture. Scripture teaches that God is Spirit (John 4:24). We infer from this that God does not have a body and that references to His head, heart, etc. are symbolic.

Having said this, however, we must hasten to note the high regard Scripture holds for the human body (Gen. 9:6; I Cor. 6:19-20; John 2: 21; Rom. 12:1). The human body was formed by God as a special creation to contain the image of God. At the time He created Adam, He patterned his body after the body He would create for the indwelling of Jesus Christ at His incarnation (Heb. 10:5). The resurrection body of Jesus Christ is presently at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3). The resurrection bodies of Christians will be forever with the Lord in heaven (I Thess. 4:16-17). The human body cannot be equated with the body of an animal.

It makes a great deal of difference to the individual whether he believes he evolved up from the animals or whether he came down from the hand of God. The teachings of evolution, and particularly the idea that man is an animal, are in conflict with the Bible doctrine concerning the fall of man and the need for salvation. When the idea that “man is an animal” first came into vogue, many people believed it intellectually, but it did not have a drastic effect on their lifestyles because of their childhood teachings. Now, however, this doctrine has been taught in our schools for several generations and many people are conducting themselves as though they, indeed, are animals. Some would even appear to prefer to look like animals.

The Bible makes it clear that there is a basic difference between man and the animals. Man was given dominion over the animals. When Adam sought a helpmeet from among the animals, none was fit for him (Gen. 2:20), so God created Eve. Man, created in the image of God, is, like God, able to make moral decisions and to usurp authority. The animals, on the other hand, conduct themselves according to God-given instincts rather than by making rational, moral judgments.

Because of the confusion regarding the nature of man, people are often misled regarding many areas of human life. For instance, in the area of romantic love, people often talk about “falling” in love as though it happened accidentally, like falling over a cliff. Two young people who are very unsuited for marriage answer all questions with the simple answer that they are “in love.” Later, when they are seeking a divorce, they explain that they no longer love each other. In the Bible, God gives us commands that show that He sees us not as animals that simply follow our instincts but as men who are able and expected to control our emotions. Christians are told not to intermarry with unsaved people (II Cor. 6:14). Husbands are told to “love your wives” (Eph. 5:25). Wives are told to love their husbands and children (Titus 2:4). God would not give us these commands if we were incapable of carrying them out. We do not “fall” in and out of love, but when a husband and wife say they no longer love each other they really mean that they have decided not to love each other any more. They should be instructed that this decision is in disobedience to an explicit command of God.

Another area where we are often misled is in the matter of human endeavor. A person’s “success” in this life is often judged by how large his salary is, and the quality of his home, car, and other possessions. If we were only animals, this would be an accurate assessment, for all the animals need is food, shelter, and the meeting of their material needs. But the Lord Jesus Christ quoted the Scriptures as saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). In another place, He told the story of a man who amassed great wealth and decided he could then take his ease and eat, drink and be merry. God called this man a “fool” saying, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou has provided?” (Luke 12:20). Later He explained to His disciples that “Life is more than food and the body is more than raiment” (Luke 12:23). Obviously, the Bible teaches that man is not an animal but that he is created in the image of God and owes allegiance to his Creator.

The idea that man is an animal is carried to its extreme in the minds of the Communists. When the Communists take over a country, they round up all those whose religious or political views they cannot change and have them put to death. They do not do this out of hatred but like a farmer who has animals with an infectious disease. He destroys them to protect his herds. If man is only an animal, then killing a few is not such a serious matter since it protects the others. This practice is misusing governmental authority. God gave permission for government to take human life only if human life had been taken. This provision was made because man is created in the image of God, and to take a human life is to strike at God Himself (Gen. 9:6).


Excerpted from Chapter 3 of An Introduction to the Christian School by James M. Bramblet, Copyright © 1985 by James M. Bramblet

The Educational Significance Of Seeing All Things As Revelations Of God

by James M. Bramblet

What significance all this has for Christian educators! The things God has made are the things we study in school. It is true that the primary revelation of God is His written Word (Heb. 1:1), and His Son, Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:2), but using His written Word as a guide, we can become interpreters of God’s glory as seen in creation,, Instead of simply seeking something in nature that will be beneficial for us as individuals, we can begin to see something of our true relationship to our Creator.

With this view of school studies, it would seem that Psalm 145 was written for Christian school people: “Every day (at school and home) will I bless thee, and I will praise thy name for ever and ever”(v.2). “One generation (parents and teachers) shall praise thy works to another (children), and shall declare thy mighty acts” (v.4).

We can see now how badly mistaken the Christian parents of a generation ago were in thinking that “secular” subjects could be taught in a secular school and the church and home would give the Christian teaching. There is really no such thing as a “secular” subject, for as has often been quoted, “All truth is God’s truth.” The only reason it has seemed there were “secular” subjects is because God’s truth has been secularized by removing Him from the curriculum and from the school program. It is as though man has stepped between God and His creation and, with his back turned to God, is carefully studying the things God has made while refusing to recognize the One Who made them. Science becomes simply a study of things. History is a study of events without recognition of the providence of God. Mathematics becomes something invented by man for man’s benefit. The whole process of education is for the purpose of making man richer, healthier, and with more leisure time.

As Christians, we are studying the same subjects as the world, but we need to walk around to the other side where we can see the things God has made while we face Him and see things in the light of His Word. When we do this, science becomes that which declares the glory of God. History becomes His-story, telling of His justice and grace and how they have been manifested in years gone by. Mathematics and the other abstract sciences are seen as the eternal knowledge of God which has been in His mind through all eternity.

The essentialists are right in giving an important place to subject matter. But they are very wrong in separating subject matter from the God Who created it. The Apostle Paul spoke of those who, “worshipped and served the creature more than the creator” (Rom. 1:25). When we see “things” as independent of God, then they seem to us as so many goodies just waiting for us to pluck them for our own use. Unfortunately, more than one person or more than one nation often arrive to pluck the best goodies at the same time, and conflict results. This is described by James as follows:

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not here, even of our lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and desire to have, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not” (James 4:1-2).

Considering the many “things” in the world to be independent of God will cause us not to recognize God, not to hear His voice, and not to be aware of His presence. The Scriptures say concerning Jesus Christ: “He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not” (John 1:10). The people of that day had lived all their lives in the world made by the Lord Jesus Christ, and yet when He came to earth a very few recognized Him. This verse indicates that they should have recognized Him. Indeed, they would have recognized Him had they been seeing His creation in the right perspective.

When we as Christians recognize that the many things in the world are not independent of God but are utterly dependent upon Him, our entire world changes. Everything becomes a reflector of the glory and person of an all-glorious God. God is so resplendent in glory that no one can see His face and live. As a special privilege, Moses was allowed to see of His glory after He had passed by (Ex. 33:20-23). We creatures are permitted to see His glory by way of reflection. He is reflected not only on the sacred pages of Scripture but also in the mirror of creation. If our eyes had not been dimmed by sin, we would continually confirm the truth of Scripture where it states that the “whole earth is full of His glory.” Enlightened by the Spirit, we are enabled to see something of the glory of God on exhibit everywhere. We see it in the things that please us. We see it in our affliction, and with Hezekiah we say, “It was for my peace that I had great bitterness” (Isa. 38:17). In the “thorns and thistles” of this sin age, we see the glory of God’s justice.

The real purpose of non-rational creation is to reveal the glorious attributes of an all-glorious God. The result of this outlook in the field of education is expressed in the following simple poem:

One ship sails east and another west,
With the selfsame winds that blow.
‘Tis the set of the sail and not the gale,
That determines the way they go.
One class sees man and another God,
With the selfsame studies that be.
‘Tis life’s outlook, not the subjects they took
Which determines what the pupils see.

Excerpted from Chapter 2 of An Introduction to the Christian School by James M. Bramblet, Copyright © 1985 by James M. Bramblet

Why “Buffalo Noise?”

I guess the best answer to that question is, “Why not?” For some reason, I have always liked buffalo. My wife Janet likes lambs, my friend Ralph likes rhinos, other people like bears, chickens, cows…you name it. I like buffalo. Maybe it is the size and stature of the buffalo. Maybe it is the sound of the word “buffalo.” Who knows? The interesting thing is that the animal we so often think of as a buffalo is really a “bison.” There are other animals more truly called buffaloes, but as far as I am concerned, the American bison is the real buffalo. Besides, “Buffalo Noise” sounds a great deal better (at least in my opinion) than “Bison Noise” for the name of a blog. Of course, most people don’t know the difference between a buffalo and a bison. The actual answer is that a buffalo is a big, powerful, hairy animal, and a bison is what an Australian washes his hands in.

The Authority of God’s Word in the Christian School

by Ron Livesay, September 2008

"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward (Psalm 19:7-11, NKJV)."

In a Christian school setting, and among Christians as a whole, it is very important to establish the authority for what we do. If we operate a Christian school without a firm foundation, our efforts become mere human efforts doomed to failure. What is our authority for what we do? Without apology, we state that our authority comes from the Bible – the unchanging, infallible, inerrant Word of the Living God. Students need to learn the importance of the authority of God’s Word over their lives. Teachers and students alike need to be sure that we base all we do on God’s Word.

”Authority” is not a popular word today. Much of society has rejected authority, and many believe all authority is illegitimate. “Who is to say what’s right and what’s wrong?” Many also take a very selfish approach. “I will do what I want. No one can tell me what to do.” Man does not naturally accept authority. For example, when airline regulations were made to prohibit smoking on all flights, one passenger commented that she didn’t have a problem doing without a smoke for three hours, but she just didn’t like the idea of anyone telling her what she could and couldn’t do.

Without authority, there is no morality and no absolutes, which results in anarchy. Without morality and absolutes, anarchy results. Man knows this. He has traffic laws, rules for games, etc., but man naturally rebels against authority. Some say rebellion among teenagers is “normal.” In reality, it is not “normal,” but it is ”natural.” These are not the same thing. “Normal” implies right. Not everything that is “natural” is normal or right. Sin is natural, but that doesn’t make it right.

Even more than not wanting to submit to the authority of other humans, man does not want to accept God’s authority over his life. However, there are no other options. Man either accepts God’s authority or becomes his own authority. He either accepts by faith the Word of God (who knows everything) or he accepts by faith the word of man (who knows nothing).

While Psalm 19:7-11 refers directly to Old Testament Law, by broad application it also refers to all of God’s Word. It teaches us many things about the authority of the Bible over our lives.

· God’s Word is perfect. It is absolutely without error. A being less than perfect is not God. He who is perfect can do nothing that is less than perfect. God’s Word is perfect because it is His Word. He is the one who does not lie or make errors. Therefore, we must accept all of the Scriptures as God’s Word, and it has total authority over us. Thou has magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name. (Psalm 138:2)

It is ludicrous to reject any part of the Bible (such as literal creation as described in Genesis) and then try to use the rest of it. Rejection of part of the Bible ultimately leads to rejection of the entire Bible. Every man becomes his own authority. If there is no Creator, there is no Redeemer.

· God’s Word is sure. It never changes. Man changes. As we see in Acts 17, man is always looking for something new. Paul presented the unchanging Creator-God to these people.

· God’s Word is right. As Creator, God is the One who determines what is right and what is wrong. Moral truth comes from the very character of God. He didn’t just “make it up.” Man has rejected creation and come up with evolution as a way of removing God from the picture, but truth doesn’t change because we deny it. We need never fear that science will prove the Bible wrong in any detail. Honest science supports the Bible, because what God says is right. But man is not honest. He accepts his anti-God, anti-Bible beliefs by faith. We will never prove the Bible to unbelievers. To try to do so is a waste of time.

An atheist scientist once said, “Even if they find a big boat up on Mount Ararat and drag it down Main Street, I won’t believe that there was a worldwide flood.” This is not a surprise. The Bible says that even if a man were to come back from the dead, people would still not believe.

· God’s Word is pure and clean. Man’s empty philosophies are empty and depraved. Man has turned the world into a sewer. He has made everything into something dirty. But God’s Word is pure and clean. It will guide us away from the garbage of this world.

· God’s Word is true and righteous. The Bible is a true and accurate record of all we need to know about God and His dealings with man. The central subject of the Bible is Jesus Christ. He is the truth (John 14:6), and He is our righteousness. (1 Corinthians 1:30)

· God’s Word converts the soul. The Bible gives us the message of salvation through Christ. …that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15)

· God’s Word makes wise the simple. “Intelligent” and “wise” are not the same thing. Proverbs tells us to “get wisdom and understanding.” 1 Corinthians 1:17-29 teaches us that the educated man who rejects God’s Word is a fool, but the Christian who knows God’s Word is truly wise. It is more important to be wise than to be clever.

· God’s Word causes the heart to rejoice. People lack joy and try to fill the void with all sorts of excitement. Only Christians truly know the inner joy of sins forgiven and the certainty of a home in heaven.

· God’s Word enlightens the eyes. The world is in darkness. The unbeliever looks at the world and it makes no sense. Some say, “Life has no meaning.” The believer is enabled, through God’s Word, to see clearly and understand that God has a purpose in all that happens. We need a biblical worldview, which means we need to view the world through “Bible glasses.”

· God’s Word warns us. God’s Word instructs us in daily living as Christians. It warns us by pointing out dangers and pitfalls.

· God’s Word leads to rewards. As we obey His Word, He blesses us. He also promises that we will receive rewards in heaven.

· God’s Word is more desirable than gold. People can spend their lives going after money, but money can’t buy true happiness during this life, and money can’t buy salvation. …what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36) By contrast, there is great joy in knowing we have something on which we can depend – something permanent. Since God’s Word is our absolute authority, we know we can trust it. This is far more valuable than money – which can be lost.

· God’s Word is sweeter than honey. We all enjoy pleasures in this life. The sweetness of honey illustrates this, yet such pleasures are temporary. God’s Word is sweeter yet – because we know it will last forever.

As we analyze our daily actions, it is important to remember that God’s Word is the only legitimate authority for the Christian school and for the Christian’s life. BCS will only remain secure as a truly Christian school as we continue to stand firm of the solid foundation of the Word of God.