The Conservative Christian Reader

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President Part Five of Five – The Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President

Part Five of Five – The Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons

In Part Four, we looked at the Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons.  Here, in Part Five – last article in this series -  we’ll look at the topic of Voting for a Mormon for President.

Voting for a Mormon for President

So, we return to the point of our beginning.  I will say it again.  I have made a personal judgment that I cannot in good conscience vote for Mr. Romney for President.  For all I know, he is a nice person, good father, husband and friend to others.  He appears to me to be an intelligent person and he may serve well as President.  After much contemplation, I have decided that God places leaders over us.[1]  Some will be good leaders, some indifferent and some exceedingly bad and/or incompetent.  I am personally going to pray that I do not have to forgo my privilege to vote for the first time in my life, but if Mr. Romney is the nominee, I will do just that.  If that makes me unfair, unjust and bigoted, so be it.  To whoever reads this and comes to a different conclusion, so be it.  I do not call you a bad person or a bad Christian.  I call you no names at all, and I hope to live at peace with you.

Doug

Douglas S. Holden © December30, 2011.  All Rights reserved.

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[1] Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Rom. 13:1 NIV

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President: Part Four of Five – The Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President

Part Four of Five – The Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons

In Part Three, we looked at The Danger of Cults.  Here, in Part Four, we’ll look at the Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons.

The Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons

How Christians should approach Mormonism and Mormons is not the same.  Mormonism is a false religion, it is counter-biblical and it can lead people to hell.   Mormonism should be opposed to the greatest degree.  Note, during this political season, that the Mormon Church is trying hard to be accepted as Christian mainstream partly by the use of very pleasant commercials showing upstanding citizens and then closing with them saying, “…and I’m a Mormon.”  I consider this as deceitful or else they would talk about their doctrine.[1]   How Christians approach Mormons – the people – is much different.  I know many Mormons.  I cannot recall ever hating a Mormon, and I really cannot recall a single Mormon I have disliked. The Mormons I have known have been nice, moral, friendly, and of high character.  So let me be very clear again.  Do not take this article to mean Christians should reject the Mormon person, but it does say to reject Mormonism.  The Bible is replete with information of how Christians should love the lost, pray for them  and be a witness to them in word and deed.

Next, in Part Five – the last article in this series - we’ll look at the Voting For A Mormon for President.

Doug

Douglas S. Holden © December30, 2011.  All Rights reserved.

 

 

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[1] Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. 2 Cor. 4:2 NIV

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President: Part Three of Five – The Danger of Cults

 

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President

Part Three of Five – The Danger of Cults

In Part Two, we looked at how to recognize cults.  Here, in Part Three, we’ll look at The Danger of Cults.

The Danger of Cults

Whatever definition, it is clear that to the Christian faith, cults are dangerous.  Dangerous because a cult distorts the Word of God and serves to lead others down a path that could lead to an eternity away from God.  To support a cult – even tacit support, even the failure to speak out against a cult – could create the same consequence.   To be clear, politics does not accomplish that, but a faith that is counter to the Word of God, especially as it distorts the salvation process, does.  Cults twist the Word of God.  What could be more dangerous – abhorrent – than that?  Being involved in a cult, supporting a cult in any manner is playing with fire – literally.

Dr. Geisler notes that “Cults often prey on vulnerable people.”[1]  Those people who are the most vulnerable should be protected the most – the young, the elderly, the socially oppressed, the emotionally oppressed, those who have never heard the true Gospel or, who have, but for a variety of circumstances been driven away.  Shame on those who would do such things – who would employ such tactics.  This is one reason that the New Testament church was warned multiple times about  teaching and protecting sound doctrine:              

1 Tim 1:8-11

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers — and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

1 Tim 4:16

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

2 Tim 4:3-5

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Titus 1:9

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.   

Titus 2: 1

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

Without a strong doctrinal background, we can all be counted among the vulnerable.  Following is a list of some Mormon teachings documented from Mormon authors.

• There are many gods, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163)
• There is a mother goddess, (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 443)
• God is married to his goddess wife and has spirit children, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 516)
• God used to be a man on another planet, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 321)
• After you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god, (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 345-347, 354)
• God resides near a star called Kolob, (Pearl of Great Price, pages 34-35; Mormon Doctrine, p. 428.)
• The Trinity is three separate gods, (James Talmage, Articles of Faith, p. 35)
• God is increasing in knowledge, (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 120)
• God has the form of a man, (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 3).
• God the Father has a body of flesh and bones, (Doctrine and Covenants, 130:22)
• We were first begotten as spirit children in heaven and then born naturally on earth, (Journal of Discourse, Vol. 4, p. 218).[2]

Next, in Part Four, we’ll look at the Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons.

Doug

Douglas S. Holden © December30, 2011.  All Rights reserved. 

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[1] Correcting the Cults, p. 17

[2] http://carm.org/dictionary-mormon

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President: Part Two of Five – What is a Cult

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President

Part Two of Five – What is a Cult

In Part One, we looked at a general introduction.  Here, in Part Two, we’ll look at how to recognize a cult.

Now, let us look at the “Why” question.  It should come as no surprise, based upon what I have previously stated in this article, that the question of Mormonism as a cult is at the heart of my conviction.

What is a Cult?

One of my most revered writers is Dr. Norman Geisler.  Dr. Geisler states, “There is no universally agreed-upon definition of a cult; there are only some generally recognizable traits.”[1]  Dr. Geisler also states,    “… there are three different dimensions of a cult—doctrinal, sociological, and moral.”[2]

Dr. Millard J. Erickson is general in his definition.  Cults are defined as:

Groups that are heretical in one or more significant respects and that frequently practice strong social control over their members.  They sometimes also engage in forms of brainwashing to gain and retain converts.[3]

Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty commission, explained: 

When we use the word 'cult,' that's a theological definition of a movement that claims to be within the confines of the Christian faith and clearly is not within the confines of the Christian faith. It is a new religion.[4]

To be clear, what is a cult is juxtaposed against the Christian faith.  Some professing Christians will not like the exclusivity of this statement, but it must be true since the Christian faith is true and because it is foundational to the Christian faith that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is true about all of which it speaks.  If one does not believe this proposition, then the rest of the article will not make sense.  That is why it is so important to understand this is my personal conviction based upon my Christian worldview.  I believe this is a sound position based upon conservative, evangelical Christian principles. 

Dr. Geisler states that it is probably best to describe certain of the characteristics of cults in an effort to better understand the issue. He explains that not every cult exhibits all of the characteristics, but all exhibit one or more.  He lists three basic characteristics:  Doctrinal, Sociological and Moral.[5]

 

Regarding the Doctrinal Characteristics, Dr. Geisler lists the elements of (1) “New Revelation,”  (2) “Denial of the Sole Authority of the Bible,” (3) “Distorted Views of God and Jesus,” and (4) “Denial of Salvation by Grace.”[6]  

Regarding New Revelation, Geisler states that “many cult leaders claim to have a direct pipeline to God”[7] like Mormonism that has taken position that has allegedly come from God and has then succumbed to social or political pressure by alleging that a new revelation has come from God to reverse the previous.  Examples are not allowing African Americans to participate in the priesthood and then changing to allow this participation and allowing polygamy and then changing to prohibit polygamy, to mention a couple.

Regarding Denial of the Sole Authority of the Bible, Geisler comments that Mormons “believe the Book of Mormon is higher Scripture than the Bible.”[8]  Regarding the Distorted Views of God and Jesus, Geisler writes that “Mormons do speak of a ‘Trinity,’ but redefine it into Tritheism (i.e., three gods).”[9]  Finally, the element of Salvation by Grace, “The Mormons, for example, emphasize the necessity of becoming more and more perfect in this life.”[10]  Do not confuse this position with the Christian perspective of doing what is right out of commitment to God.  Mormonism teaches one must do certain things in order to graduate to the next life as a god.[11]

Regarding Sociological Characteristics, Dr. Geisler points to “authoritarianism, exclusivism, dogmatism, close-mindedness, susceptibility, compartmentalization, isolation, and even antagonism.”[12]  Specifically referencing Exclusivism, Dr. Geisler says that “The Mormons believe they are the exclusive community of the saved on earth.”  Do not confuse this with the Christian view that salvation only comes through Jesus.  For Dogmatism, “Mormons claim to be the only true church on earth.”[13];[14] The Christian view speaks of the “Church” in a universal sense, as those who have been saved by grace, through faith alone.[15] For Close-mindedness, “One educated Mormon we encountered said he did not care if it could be proved that Joseph Smith was a false prophet; he still would remain a Mormon.”[16] For Susceptibility:

Many Mormons have a "burning in the bosom" which makes it nearly impossible to reason with them about their faith. Cultists often accept teachings by a kind of blind faith that is impervious to sound reasoning. One Mormon missionary said he would believe the Book of Mormon even if it said there were square circles![17]

Next are the Moral Characteristics for which Dr. Geisler points to Legalism, Sexual Perversion, Physical Abuse and Intolerance Toward Others.  Legalism involves extrabiblical standards to which followers must adhere like Mormon teaching “forbidding the use of coffee, tea, or any drink with caffeine.”[18]  Regarding Sexual Perversion, “Joseph Smith (and other Mormon leaders) had many wives.”[19]

Correcting the Cults does a good job of going from Genesis through Revelation showing how Christianity differs widely from Mormonism in a number of areas:  Creation, Salvation, the Deity of Christ as a member of the Trinity, Pre-existence, the Virgin Birth, the Relationship between Jesus and satan, the Fall, Sacred Books, Heaven and Hell and countless other ways.  Much more time could be used to develop the Biblical position, but, for now, I’ll just quote this: 

Who is the liar?  It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ.  Such a man is the antichrist – he denies the Father and the Son.  No one who denies the Son has the Father.[20] 

Mormonism does not call Jesus “the Christ” – Messiah in exclusivity – but rather that we are all destined to be gods if we comport to Mormonism.  See footnote 11, supra.

The Philosophical Law of Opposites states that if two statements are opposites, both cannot be true.  In that Mormonism and fundamental, evangelical Christianity support many opposites, they cannot both be true.  You may argue that fundamental, evangelical Christianity is not true in your opinion, but it is hardly logical to claim that Mormonism and Christianity are both true.  Thus it is simply not logical for a Mormon to claim to be a Christian or for a Christian to claim to be a Mormon. 

Next, in Part Three, we’ll look at The Danger of Cults.

Doug

Douglas S. Holden © December30, 2011.  All Rights reserved.

 

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[1] Correcting the Cults, © 1997 by Norman L. Geisler and Ron Rhodes, p. 9

[2] p. 10

[3] The Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology, Millard J. Erickson, Crossway Books, Wheaton, IL (2001), p. 45.

[4] The Christian Post > Politics| Wed, Oct. 12 2011 03:42 PM EDT. Mormonism Debate: What Is a Cult? Different Understandings Confuse the Debate on Mormonism, By Napp Nazworth.

[5] Correcting the Cults, p. 10

[6] p. 10

[7] p. 10

[8] p. 10

[9] p. 10

[10] p. 11

[11] After you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god, (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345-347, 354.)  "Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them," (Doctrine and Covenants 132:20).

[12] Correcting the Cults, p. 11

[13] p. 12

[14] Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV

[15] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph 2:8-9 NIV

[16] Correcting the Cults, p. 12

[17] p. 12

[18] p. 13

[19] p. 13

[20] 1 John 2:22, 23 NIV.

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President: Part One of Five - Introduction

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President

Part One of Five - Introduction

I usually do not comment of things political in this blog, and though this article will discuss voting for President of the United States, I will offer my personal views, but only from a theological perspective.  The short answer is that from a theological perspective, I cannot vote for a Mormon.

This year, one of the front-runners for the Republican nomination for President, Mitt Romney, is a Mormon and  I have been asked a number of times regarding the issue of voting for a Mormon.  I haven’t gone public with my personal views, but my friends and family certainly know my view. 

Recently, the Republican debates brought this issue to the forefront when a Pastor, introducing Governor Rick Perry at a political rally, commented that Mormonism is a cult.  That comment was later disavowed by Mr. Perry during a debate.

There was, of course, a flurry of comments about the cult comment, but one political commentator, Dick Morris, grabbed my attention.  He stated that those who choose not to vote for Mr. Romney because he is a Mormon is “unfair, unjust, bigoted.”  I had remained quiet up to this point, but I had to take issue with what Mr. Morris said and I wrote to him sharing my view that my choice was based upon a heart-felt theological position shared by many within the conservative, evangelical Christian community and though he may have a personal view that my position is unfair, unjust and bigoted, he had stated it not as an opinion, but rather as fact.  It is not a fact that I am any one of the three names he called me, especially not a bigot.

So here is my take.  I think there are two basic issues:  The political issue and the theological issue.  Before I get to those issues, I want it to be clear that I am expressing my own, personal view, both politically and theologically.  First, I have no problem with anyone who votes for Mr. Romney, whether from a political or theological position.  Second, do I hate Mormons?  Certainly not.  I believe that the belief system and worldview of Mormonism is seriously flawed.  The Mormons I know are of high moral character and possess many traits espoused in the Christian faith – sometimes to a much greater extent than mainstream Christians.  I will discuss how the Mormon faith deviates from the Christian faith and why I agree that Mormonism is a cult, later.

The Political Issue:  I think the issue is best framed as whether or not one who is a conservative, or who is otherwise disenchanted with President Obama and/or his policies and ideologies, should vote for ANY conservative Republican candidate merely in an effort to defeat Mr. Obama.  I understand this position and make no personal judgment regarding those who answer this issue in the affirmative.

The Theological Issue:  Here, the issue is best framed as whether or not one should refrain from voting for Mr. Romney solely – or substantially – because he is a Mormon.  I want to make this clear again.  This is my personal position and I make no personal judgment regarding one’s personal faith should s/he choose to vote for Mr. Romney.  I do not believe those Christians who vote for Mr. Romney will somehow lose their salvation or will be less Christian than those who choose not to vote for Mr. Romney.

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I consider myself a patriot.  I proudly served in the military of the United States.  I am politically, economically and morally conservative. I find much of who I perceived Mr. Obama to be and what he has done and may continue to do as president as unwise and damaging to America.  I pray that God will not have us endure another four years with Mr. Obama as President, though I subscribe to the saying, “Be careful what you wish for.”  Israel wished for a secular king even though God told them that was not a good idea.  God allow that to happen and the result was some pretty bad characters became kings.  I believe it is best to merely seek God’s Will.

I highly value my right and privilege to vote, and I believe that I should vote, so long as voting will not violate my Christian conscience.   And therein lies the rub for me.  I understand that should I choose not to vote for anyone for President, and if many others make that same choice, Mr. Obama may be reelected.  So I view my choice as “should I vote in violation of my Christian conscience, or should I, out of my personal, Christian conscience, leave the result to God.”  I choose the latter.  I pray that I will not have to make that choice.  This is my personal conviction, and I hold no one to that conviction, but me.

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Next, in Part Two, we’ll look at how to recognize a cult.

Doug

Douglas S. Holden © December30, 2011.  All Rights reserved.

7 - CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND CHARACTER – The Ten Commandments (Part 4)

7 - CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND CHARACTER – The Ten Commandments (Part 4)

Last time we looked at the second commandment.  Here, we’ll look at the third commandment.

7 "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

The Christian ethic of the third commandment is that of honor.  And what carries more honor than one’s name.  The Hebrews knew Yahweh (“I AM”) as the only God and they revered His name.  The third commandment, therefore, would make great sense to them.  To misuse the name of God would be the ultimate insult to God and would bring the ultimate shame (and would be punishable) on the offender. 

The Hebrew word for name, ‎shem (pronounced, shame), denotes a definite and conspicuous position.  It is a person’s memorial.  It denotes honor, authority and character.

The prohibition in this commandment is more than false swearing, swearing – in the sense we might think of it today: profanity – and being irreverent.  It is also making a promise by the use of the name of God and then casting that aside without thought or pause.  Using the name of the Lord God is the ultimate appeal to all that is holy and true. 

It is simply not enough to avoid profanity.  To say the name of God is to worship God.  Therefore, how we say it, how we use it, reflects our attitude of worship of God. 

The Hebrew word for misuse or vain (KJV) is ‎lashaaw’ (pronounced, la shaw’).   It means to disrespect in the sense of “nothingness.”  It is the “cold shoulder” in a relationship.  To misuse the name of the Lord God, is to attribute to God that He is nothing to us and to all mankind.  It is the height of hypocrisy to profess our faith, and then to lashaaw’ God. The Septuagint has: “ou leepsee epi mataioo,” which means, “Thou shalt not take the name of Yahweh thy God upon a vain thing, a trifling, frivolous occasion.”

What happens when we attempt to reduce God to nothingness – when we disrespect Him in this manner, by the misuse of His name?  This verse says that God will not hold us guiltless.  Here, the Hebrew word for guiltless is ‎naqah (pronounced, naw-kaw').  It is used in the negative sense or as the flip side of “blameless.”  If we misuse the name of God, we are by no means blameless or guiltless before God.  To not be guiltless connotes that such guilt or blame is punished.  How?  I am not sure.  But I sure don’t want to stand before God to find out.

God refers to Himself as Yahweh – “I AM.”  If we misuse His name, we say, “No, you aren’t.”

Next, we’ll look at the fourth commandment.

Doug

6 - CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND CHARACTER – The Ten Commandments (Part 3)

6 - CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND CHARACTER – The Ten Commandments (Part 3)

Last time we looked at the first of the Ten Commandments.  Here, we’ll look at the second commandment.

2.     Ex 20:4- :  You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments.

The Christian ethic of the second commandment is that we – you and I do not come first.  What we want, what we feel, what we desire and yes, even what we need – none of this comes before God.

The character of God is that He is holy.  Who are we to attempt to lay claim on what we want, feel, desire or need in the face of the holy God.  We can pray, of course, for these things, but we should be careful to present ourselves to God in an appropriate manner – humbly, subservient, undeserving, subject to others, subject to the Will of God and subject to the timing of God.

What is it that we make as an idol for ourselves?  What is it before which we bow down?  Is it power or position?  Is it our “rightful” place in the home, or at work or at church?  Is it money, debt, a nice way of life, a retirement, a home or stylish clothes?  Do we accept being last rather than first for the sake of the kingdom?

Where do our interests lie?  Comfort?  Knowledge (except for the knowledge of God)?  Work?  Play?  All of these can be idols “in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”  

What is the danger?  First, we disrespect and hate our holy God.  Second, we subject ourselves to punishment/chastisement.  Third, we subject our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to punishment – meaning that our bad acts do not just hurt ourselves.  Our bad acts will set the tone for generations to come.  This is the height of arrogance and selfishness.

Pay attention.  This is part of God’s moral law.

Next, we’ll look at the third commandment.

Doug

5 - CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND CHARACTER – The Ten Commandments (Part 2)

5 - CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND CHARACTER – The Ten Commandments (Part 2)

Last time we began our look into the Ten Commandments.  We continue here.

1.      Ex 20:3:  “You shall have no other gods before me.”

It was prominent in early Old Testament history for inhabitants of the world to have many idols.  Indeed, as Moses led the Hebrew people out of Egypt and into the desert, he was called by God to come up onto Mount Sinai to meet with Him.  Moses had interceded before God due to the sin of the nation and now God wrote down His moral law.  When Moses came down the mountain, he witnessed the horrifying scene of the golden calf, constructed by the nation so they would have something to worship.   It is most interesting that the first commandment is “You shall have no other gods before me.”

I have often thought, “What is wrong with these people?”  Moses was only gone for a little over a month.  God had continually provided for the Hebrew people in miraculous ways.  In fact, He had delivered them out of captivity and slavery.  But this attitude is not so unusual.  You and I do this as well – maybe worse.

The first thing to know about God is that He IS God. 

Ex 6:7:  I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. NIV

 

Ex 16:12:  I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’ NIV

 

Ex 20:2:  I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. NIV

 

Lev 11:44:  I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. NIV

 

Some 42 times, in the Old Testament, God says, “I am the Lord your God.”  The sheer repetition should mean something – and it does.  But what does it mean?   There are things that surround us in this life that take our time, hearts, thoughts and efforts away from God.  God says to the Hebrews, as He says to us, “Who do you think I am?  You say you know me.  You talk a good game.  You sing the songs in church and even clap your hands and waive your arms and contort your face to look pious and sincere, but your time, hearts, thoughts and efforts tell a different story.  I am the Lord your God!”

The Christian ethic of the first commandment is that we must act like we know who God is.

Doug

136 BIBLE “CONTRADICTIONS” … ANSWERED (Contradictions 36-40)

136 BIBLE “CONTRADICTIONS” … ANSWERED (Contradictions 36-40)

A Booklet by Brad McCoy, Th.M.

© Copyright 1985 Reprinted with author’s permission. May be distributed freely but not sold.

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Note:  I thought it would be interesting for a few posts, to consider some alleged Biblical contradictions.  I hear this all the time, but no one who makes the complaints will sit down with me and study them.  Brad McCoy was my Theology Professor in Seminary.  He is an outstanding theological scholar and teacher.  At my request, he provided me with a booklet he self-published in 1985.  The booklet can be reproduced, but not sold. - dh

** UPDATE ** Recently, I conversed with Dr. McCoy and he confirmed directly with me that I can post from his booklet.  In addition, he informed me that the book was recently updated to – “150 Bible Contradictions Answered!”  He sent me this self-published manuscript which, by the way, is excellent.  If you would like the new manuscript, let me know and I will pass it on to Dr. McCoy.  I see it cost him about $5.00 to send it to me, so you should be willing to make a contribution to Dr. McCoy's church to help defray the mailing cost and perhaps a bit more, maybe $20.00 or so.

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(This booklet is a response to the pamphlet “136 Bible Contradictions” printed by Crusade Publications of Redmond, Washington.)

 

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“Contradictions” 36-40

 

#36 Proverbs 4:5, 7 and James 1:5 which directly encourages believers to obtain wisdom is contrasted to the statements of 1 Corinthians 1:19-25 and 3:18-20 which warn that wisdom is of little or no real value.

 

Clearly two different kinds of wisdom are being discussed.  Proverbs 4:5, 7 and James 1:5 refer to godly wisdom or divine viewpoint.  In contrast, the Apostle Paul in the epistle of 1 Corinthians, is describing the wisdom of this world or human viewpoint.  The believer is to seek God’s perspective on life and to reject “worldly wisdom” based on ignorance or rejection of God.

 

#37 Contrasts Proverbs 12:2 which states that a good man will obtain favor from the Lord with 2 Timothy 3:12 and Hebrews 12:6 which indicate that godly men will be persecuted.

 

Proverbs 12:2 affirms that God Himself will bless a wise and righteous believer.  It primarily has in mind “spiritual blessings” such as wisdom, peace of mind, inner joy, and a good reputation.  In contrast, 2 Timothy 3:12 deals not with what God does for believers but with what the ungodly in the world tend to do to them.  It describes sinful men’s reaction to wise and righteous believers.  1 Peter 3:14 combines these two concepts, “even if you should suffer (from sinful men) for the sake of righteousness you are blessed”.  Blessing from God does not eliminate all worldly problems but allows the believer to live victoriously despite the reality of such difficulties (see 1 Peter 4:12-19).

 

#38 Contrasts Proverbs 12:22 which states that God hates lies with 1 Kings 22:23 in which the Lord “put” a deceiving spirit in the mouths of certain prophets.

 

There is a huge difference between direct and indirect causation.  In 1 Kings 22:23 God allowed (via indirect causation, the Hebrew verb used in this verse means “to permit, to allow”) a lying spirit to control the prophets of Ahab.  While God does allow moral creatures the freedom to sin (in this case allowing certain demonic spirits to empower and direct the activities of the false prophets) He is never responsible for sin.  He never coerces man to do evil.  He permits but He never promotes evil.

 

#39 Isaiah 44:24 which states that God alone created the universe is contrasted to John 1:1-3 which states that Jesus Christ is the Creator.

 

The Bible reveals that in the unity of the Godhead there exist three Co-Equal and Co-Eternal Persons-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The Triune God eternally preexisted the present time-space universe, and created it without the help of any other agent.  The plurality of persons within the Godhead is indicated by the first person plural personal pronouns “us” and “our” in Genesis 1:26.  However the specific Person of the Godhead who actually was the active agent of creation is the Lord Jesus Christ (see also #72).

 

#40 Contrasts Jeremiah 3:12 in which God says He will not be angry forever with Jeremiah 17:4 which states that He will be angry forever.

 

This “contradiction” ignores the chronological progression of the book of Jeremiah.  In chronological context, Jeremiah 3:12 is a call for the nation of Judah to repent.  It was given during the reign of godly King Josiah (640 B.C.).  God states that He is willing to forgive the nation at that time if she would repent and return to Him.  Jeremiah 17:4 is a statement made many years later during the reign of ungodly King Jehoiakim (609 B.C.).  At that point God announces His final verdict upon the unrepentant nation which had refused His previous offers of forgiveness.

 

 

Doug

 

Douglas S. Holden, Douglas Holden, Doug Holden, Brad McCoy, Theology, Doctrine, Bible contradictions

 

 

136 BIBLE “CONTRADICTIONS” … ANSWERED (Contradictions 31-35)

136 BIBLE “CONTRADICTIONS” … ANSWERED (Contradictions 31-35)

A Booklet by Brad McCoy, Th.M.

© Copyright 1985 Reprinted with author’s permission. May be distributed freely but not sold.

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Note:  I thought it would be interesting for a few posts, to consider some alleged Biblical contradictions.  I hear this all the time, but no one who makes the complaints will sit down with me and study them.  Brad McCoy was my Theology Professor in Seminary.  He is an outstanding theological scholar and teacher.  At my request, he provided me with a booklet he self-published in 1985.  The booklet can be reproduced, but not sold. - dh

** UPDATE ** Recently, I conversed with Dr. McCoy and he confirmed directly with me that I can post from his booklet.  In addition, he informed me that the book was recently updated to – “150 Bible Contradictions Answered!”  He sent me this self-published manuscript which, by the way, is excellent.  If you would like the new manuscript, let me know and I will pass it on to Dr. McCoy.  I see it cost him about $5.00 to send it to me, so you should be willing to make a contribution to Dr. McCoy's church to help defray the mailing cost and perhaps a bit more, maybe $20.00 or so.

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(This booklet is a response to the pamphlet “136 Bible Contradictions” printed by Crusade Publications of Redmond, Washington.)

 

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“Contradictions” 31-35

 

#31 2 Samuel 24:1 “the anger of the LORD burned against Israel and it incited David against them to say, ‘Go and number Judah.’” Is contrasted to 1 Chronicles 21:1 “then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel.”

 

These accounts are supplementary, describing two different aspects of the same event, God being the ultimate cause and Satan being the immediate, active cause moving David to take the census.  God allowed Satan to influence David.  David then did so willfully despite being warned against it (see 1 Chronicles 21:3).  The census per se was not inherently sinful, but David’s choice to rely more on large numbers of human resources rather than to trust in the LORD was sinful.

 

#32 1 Kings 8:12 which states that God dwells in “darkness” (KJV) is contrasted to 1 Timothy 6:16 which indicates that God dwells in unapproachable “light”.

 

This “contradiction” is based on a misleading rendering of the Hebrew text of 1 Kings 8:12.  It is more accurately translated “thick” describing a thick cloud (of glory) not a “dark” cloud.  The Hebrew adjective . . . used here means “heavy, thick, dense but bright, thick but luminous.

 

#33 2 Kings 16:5 which states that Ahaz was not conquered by the kings of Israel is contrasted to 2 Chronicles 28:5 and 6 which states that Ahaz was conquered by the kings.

 

2 Kings 16:5 states that the kings of Israel did not overcome (Hebrew:  “destroy/exterminate”) Ahaz.  2 Chronicles 28:5-6 states that the kings did defeat (that is score a military victory over) Ahaz.  In other words, while the kings did defeat Ahaz militarily, they did not kill him personally/or cause the nation to capitulate.  In a similar way one could say that the Japanese did defeat the United States at Pearl Harbor, but they did not (finally) defeat the United States (in the war as a whole).

 

#34 The quote of Psalm 22:1 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is contrasted to Psalm 46:1 which says that God is the believer’s refuge, strength, and source of help in times of struggle.

 

Psalm 22:1 is a predictive Messianic prophecy written by King David in approximately 1000 B.C.  It was fulfilled literally by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross in 33 A.D. (Note that Psalm 22:16-18 accurately describe Christ’s crucifixion in detail centuries before crucifixion was even known in Palestine).  Psalm 22:1 is a rhetorical question in which the Messiah emotionally describes the spiritual separation between God the Father and Himself as He was making atonement for the sins of the world. . . Rather than a specific Messianic prophecy, Psalm 46:1 is a general promise of God’s providential support of believers as they encounter temporal problems in life.

 

#35 Contrasts Psalm 78:69 which states that God has founded the earth “forever” with 2 Peter 3:10 which indicates that God will destroy the earth sometime in the future.

 

The issue here revolves around the meaning of the Hebrew word . . . which is translated “forever” in Psalm 78:69.  Brown, Driver and Briggs in their authoritative Hebrew lexicon define this word to mean “(of) long duration, antiquity, futurity”.  It does not necessarily mean “forever” in the sense of “never ending”.  The Bible is quite clear that while the earth is much more permanent than individual men, it will not last forever (see Psalm 102:25-27).  Only God Himself is eternal.  The universe is His creation and is locked in the time and space continuum.  It will ultimately be destroyed, at which time God will usher in “The Eternal State” (2 Peter 3:10-13, Revelation 21:1-22:5).

 

 

Doug

 

Douglas S. Holden, Douglas Holden, Doug Holden, Brad McCoy, Theology, Doctrine, Bible contradictions