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The first Thanksgiving to God in the Calvinist tradition occurred in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts during the summer of 1623. The colonists declared a Thanksgiving holiday after their crops were saved by much-needed rainfall.
Jesus took what today might be called a public opinion poll. He wanted to know who the crowd said he was.
I wonder about the question. Why is it “in vogue” to disbelieve in a Creator of the universe, who loves us and wants to have a relationship with us and not “in vogue” to believe?
For me, a religious experience means a profound and stimulating awareness of the presence of God around me.
In previous presidential campaigns -- and while some presidents are in office -- we have sometimes witnessed the cynical manipulation of religious faith for political gain.
Prayer is conversation with God. Prayer consists of worship, praise and thanks to God for Himself and for all that He has done.
There is a certain “fundamentalism” in the secular liberal approach to “global warming.” Even some evangelicals are getting into this “faith” that the earth is getting warmer because of human action.
God “invented” sex. Like so much of what God created -- from our environment, to marriage -- humankind has polluted and perverted sex.
Anyone wishing to answer this question must make a choice:
Religion as a subject is mostly stereotyped, or disregarded by the major media. There are a number of reasons for this, including deliberate ignorance, bigotry and a fear many correspondents have that a serious treatment of the subject brings nothing to their careers.
People have been attempting to disprove the resurrection of Jesus Christ since He rose from the grave, beginning with Pontius Pilate for political reasons.
Christians are no longer under "the laws of the God of Abraham."
How many times have we heard a person begin an "apology" this way: "If I have offended anyone..."? It has all the sincerity of a political campaign promise.
True sorrow involves repentance, not a statement crafted by press agents, or political consultants, who are paid to minimize damage to their clients.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints comprises approximately two percent of the U.S. population, according to the Pew Research Council. This is substantially behind the number of Protestants and Catholics, so by numbers alone it is difficult to say that the faith has entered the "mainstream of American religious life."
Still, practicing Mormons I know are decent and consistently kind and helpful. Their strong sense of family values sometimes outstrips the more numerous Protestant and Catholic believers. And, yes, people are still "suspicious" of Mormonism, in part because the faith keeps secret many of its rituals and mainstream religions consider some of their doctrines not only extra-biblical, but bizarre (such as the teaching there are many gods and we can all become gods and goddesses).
No, Jesus came to transform the inside, not reform the outside. He said "My Kingdom is not of this world." But when the inside is transformed through conversion, that can have a profound effect on the surrounding culture as it has through the three spiritual revivals that have touched America.
The Jerry Falwell I knew was torn between the two kingdoms he represented: one not of this world and the other very much of this world; one with tactics and tools that could change lives and the other with tactics and tools that changed little.
The question reminds me of one I was asked some years ago by a salesperson for my newspaper syndicate. After crossing a milestone in the number of papers carrying my column, I called to thank him for his efforts and then said, "What are we doing next for more sales?" He responded, "Aren't you ever satisfied?" I answered, "I am content, but never satisfied."
I can always do better in my work, as well as be a better person in my inner character and outer relationships. If you're satisfied, you will never grow. The lyric from an old hymn says it best: "I'm pressing on the upward way, new heights I'm scaling everyday." That's true of me and it is true of all people who succeed at what they love to do.
Paul the Apostle wrote, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Philippians 4:11) That is true freedom, because contentment has nothing to do with whether one is rich or poor, famous or not. Contentment is about an inner peace that comes with knowing you are rightly related to God and feeling His pleasure.
Step number one is to know why we have wars. James addresses that question when he says: "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight..." (James 4:1-2)
There are wars because our fallen nature makes us dissatisfied with our status. We want other people's land, or valuables. Some wish to deprive others of their freedom in the name of their God. Jesus said there would be "wars and rumors of wars" (Matt 24:6) which will not end until He returns to restore humanity to its original and perfect nature.
I keep my faith because it is not in fallen humanity, but in God, who gives a different kind of peace than the world can offer so that regardless of wars, or a temporary cessation of hostilities on Earth, I have peace with God through Jesus Christ. It is the only "peace treaty" that matters.
There are two types of questions we ask of God. One is asked in doubt; the other is asked in faith.
Two examples of skeptical questions are those asked by Sarah when she doubted the angel of the Lord's promise she would bear Abraham a son in their old age (Genesis 18); and Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, who doubted the angel Gabriel's announcement that Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son in her old age. Zecharaiah was struck dumb until John's birth because he doubted God.(Luke 1:8-25).In both of these instances, God's integrity was questioned.
The best example of a question asked to elicit information and not doubt God is recorded when Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God. "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" asked Mary.
When Gabriel answered her question, Mary neither laughed (as did Sarah) or doubted (Zechariah). Instead, she said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:26-38)
Two questions were based in the logic and understanding of Man. One question expected an answer out of the faithfulness and character of God. The way in which we question God determines the kind of answer we get, or whether we receive an answer at all.
Like so many other matters involving faith, believing in Heaven and hell depends on whether one believes in what God has said about these places. Modernism has diluted Heaven and hell, contending that if there is a Heaven surely all will go there because God (if there is one) is all-loving and He wouldn’t want to send anyone to hell (if there is such a place).
All of this sounds comforting, but it is like a pitchman for a bogus product. It isn’t true.
Theoretically, yes, if such a person was competent and experienced enough to be trusted with the presidency. This is, after all, a "kingdom of this world" office, though many like to infuse it with religious overtones.
Still, I wonder about a person's judgment if he, or she, has embraced paganism with all of the evidence available concerning an orderly universe and the creative mind behind such order. Having judged incorrectly concerning the great "I Am," would a pagan be considered wise enough to judge temporal things? And, in an age when virtually every politician claims some kind of religion, could a pagan win?
Probably not.
Graduates of medical schools used to be required to take the Hippocratic Oath, which began: "I swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepius and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfill according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant:..."
So, the origin of the oath communicated a religious ideal, though a pagan one. It's purpose was to bind a doctor to a standard higher than himself.
In modern times, the Oath has been optional, but the sense of a moral, even religious standard, that would control the ethical decisions a doctor must make has remained. Most doctors respect the religious beliefs of their patients, except when they might conflict with sound medicine and the best interests of the patient. In circumstances involving, for example, Jehovah's Witnesses -- who mostly oppose blood transfusions, or Christian Scientists, who mostly eschew medical treatment -- patients need to make their wishes known in writing before treatment, such as in a will or other legal document that spells out precisely what an individual wants and does not want done.
In the case of children, doctors and the state are usually able to override parental wishes that are based on religion and not medicine if the best interest of the child demands it.
For the Christian, the classic and central verse is John 3:16, because in that one sentence encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message: God loves us so much He sent his only Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have life everlasting. There are many, many other wonderful verses that have touched my life, encouraged me and reminded me of what matters most in life, but this one is the capstone of them all.
There is a hymn many Christians sing which includes the plea that God would "drive the dark of doubt away." We live in a fallen world with many temptations and distractions. We witness poverty, war, death and other horrors. We "see through a glass darkly," as Paul writes. We are constantly bombarded with "evidence" that God does not exist.
And yet as we focus on Jesus, it is He who drives the dark of doubt away...by his life, death and resurrection and by His assurance that He goes to prepare a place for us that where He is, we may be also. It is by looking beyond our circumstances in a fallen world and beyond doubt that we find hope and faith. Perhaps Mother Teresa's doubt lasted longer than most, but doubt is not the same as disbelief and in her actions as well as her words, she exhibited more faith than any doubter -- or non-doubter -- I have known.
Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation." But He also said, "Be of good cheer for I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
A merciful God created the world in perfect condition. Man messed it up by deciding to do things his own way. Still, a merciful God offers redemption in and from this fallen world through Jesus Christ for all those who repent of their sin and put their faith and trust in Him.
We will all die. Circumstances differ, but the end is the same for all. The question is not how many years we get to live in a broken world, but rather where we are headed after we leave it. A merciful God offers Heaven and perfection -- with no terrorist attacks, no storms and no tears -- if we accept it on His terms and not create conditions for Him to which He must respond before we exercise faith and trust in Him.
He is right. That is exactly what religion is. Religion is a creation of man designed to control people who don't agree with whatever brand is being promoted. God has nothing to do with religion. What God has everything to do with is relationships. It is THAT he wants from human beings, a relationship with Himself. But since He is holy and we are not, he demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, He sent Jesus to die for us (romans 5:8).
That is not a message to be held or patented as the exclusive property of anyone; rather it is a message to be shared with whosoever will come to Him on His terms. As the offended party, He gets to make the rules (after all, He did make the universe). That some reject his message is their right, but they also must accept the consequences, for "The fool has said in his heart 'there is no God'" (Psalm 14:1)
Yes, I believe in life after death because Jesus taught about it came to assure we could live it with Him; and and Paul also testifies to it. No, I have never been visited by a dead relative or friend.
There has long been a debate about how widely we should apply Jesus' admonition, in what has come to be known as the Sermon on the Mount, to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matt 5:43-48)
Does this mean we should not resist someone (or some nation) that wishes to do us harm? Some consistent pacifists believe that. Others say this should be applied only in personal relationships and that we should love someone at the office who means to short circuit our career, or a neighbor who has a different political philosophy or religious faith.
It is difficult to parse this saying. Should we -- can we -- love terrorists who hate and wish to destroy us? Does doing so violate Paul's instruction that those who do not care for their families are worse than an infidel? (1 Tim 5:8)
I know loving my enemies works for me in personal relationships. When I truly love my enemy as God loves them, they eventually cease to be my enemy. It changes me first and sometimes it changes them.
About the terrorists who wish to destroy us, perhaps I have more to learn, but for now I intend to resist them until they give up trying to kill me. Then I will try to love them.
Go ahead, send me your emails telling me how wrong I am, but I want to see my grandchildren grow up in freedom and not bondage and to me that is worth fighting for.
I think it has to do with expectations. The Norman Rockwell-Ozzie and Harriett-Father Knows Best stereotype of the "normal" American family has been so ingrained in us that when we fall short of that standard it makes us simultaneously angry and sad. In addition, some relatives rarely see, speak or write each other between holidays. There is a sense of obligation to show up to celebrate holidays in order not to give further offense. When they arrive, the actual and perceived grievances are often magnified and multiplied.
Families with such dynamics might consider preparing and formally signing a "Holiday peace treaty." In it, they might pledge to find something positive to say about others and to express gratitude for something the other person has done. Affirming words do much to reduce tensions and conflict ("A soft answer turns away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1). It might also help to remember that story Jesus told about getting the log out of your own eye, before condemning the speck in someone else's eye (Matt 7:3), because often what we see as character flaws in others is a mirror held up to our own faces. Some best selling psychiatrists have written a book called "Happiness is a Choice." Choose to be happy this holiday season, no matter the provocations.
If one begins with the premise that Man is perfectible, one will always be frustrated about the deplorable condition of much of the world (in Romans 8, Paul writes about how God has built "futility" into the world "in hope" that the world will turn to Him). We have conflict with each other, because too many of us are in conflict with God: not accepting His existence; not obeying His commands; rejecting His salvation.
In the midst of conflict and chaos, we can be thankful that we live in America which still guarantees the freedom to worship, or not, according to one's own conscience and that until recently we have largely been protected from the consequences of religious and ethnic tensions that grip much of the world. That has changed since 9/11, but America remains the last best hope on Earth. If it didn't, so many would not want to come here -- legally and illegally!
Thanks must have an object and Thanksgiving has traditionally been understood in the context of thanking God for His many blessings. That never changes, no matter our political surroundings or personal circumstances.
There is no "gradation" of sin in Scripture. The notion of "seven deadly sins" is not a product of biblical theology, but something added by elements of the early church and promoted by the Roman Catholic church which divided sin into the categories "venial" and "mortal." Paul writes "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" and "there is no one righteous, no not one." The only "deadly" sin is the rejection of Jesus the Christ as Savior and His payment for our sin.
The Question: E-mail: Blessing or Curse?
Anything that saves time and postage, which is going up again, is a blessing. The curse, of course, is that you are never out of touch.
The answer is found in Paul's First Letter to the Corinthian Church, Chapter 15, beginning in vs.12:
"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." (NIV)
There is not much wiggle room in such a statement. If Jesus was not literally and bodily raised from the dead - as He said He would be and demonstrated in front of witnesses who just days before had abandoned Him in fear of the mob that called for His crucifixion -- then all humanity is without hope.
The Question: Which "ism" is more entrenched in America, sexism or racism? Which should religion address?
Both sexism -- treating women as subhuman, or at least of lesser value than men -- and racism -- the view that one race is superior to all others -- are specifically condemned in Scripture. Both are considered sins and both are equally rejected in Scripture.
God made all human beings in His image, which is a spiritual, not a physical image. Paul, the Apostle, makes this crystal clear when he writes to believers in Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
One can't improve on that.
Question: In his speech to U.S. bishops last week, Pope Benedict XVI said: "Any tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted . . . To the extent that religion becomes a purely private affair, it loses its very soul." Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Since becoming a serious follower of Jesus of Nazareth thirty-five years ago, I have been puzzled by those who claim “religion” should be private. In some sense, it is, as when Jesus instructed those who follow Him to go into their closets and pray rather than praying publicly for show as the Pharisees did. But the suggestion that faith should never escape the boundaries of one’s own heart and mind is a kind of selfishness, an unwillingness to share the greatest news ever proclaimed. And that is that Christ died for our sins and by confessing our sins and receiving the crucified Christ as Savior and Lord, people can find a reason and power for living this life and be assured of a home in Heaven after it ends. Who wouldn’t want to share that incredible news with others in need of its hopeful message?
The Apostles didn’t believe in keeping their faith private. On the contrary, they shouted it from the housetops and saw thousands converted for their efforts. In our day, where would the civil rights movement be without the public voice of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.; or the pro-life movement without the voices of public men and women, exercising their faith?
At its best, faith drives people and movements that are good for humanity. At its worst, it can become a tool of a political party or candidate and divert attention from the Kingdom that will not end in favor of a temporal kingdom that is passing away.
What Islam Really Says About Violence, Rights and Other Religions
Gomaa, Fadlallah, Mubarak, Khan, Siddiqi, Ellison, others | On Faith
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