Unbiblical Doctrines
The fundamental doctrines of Christendom are based not on the Bible but on ancient myths-those of Greece, Egypt, Babylon and others. Teachings such as the inherent immortality of the human soul, eternal torment in hellfire, purgatory and the trinity (three persons in one Godhead) are not found in the Bible.
For example, consider the teaching that bad people will be tortured forever in a fiery hell. How do you feel about this idea? Many find it repugnant. They find it unreasonable that God would forever torture humans, keeping them in excruciating pain. Such a fiendish idea is contrary to the God of the Bible, for "God is love." (1John 4:8) The Bible is clear that such a teaching 'had not come into the heart' of almighty God. - Jeremiah 7:31; 19:5; 32:35.
Today many religions, including th churches of Christendom, teach that humans have an immortal soul, which at death goes to heaven or hell. This is not a Bible teaching. Instead, the Bible clearly states: " The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all,.... for there is no work, or devising, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in Sheol [the grave], the place to which you are going." (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10) And the psalmist states that at death man "goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish." - Psalm 146:4.
Recall, too, that Adam and Eve broke God's law, the punishment was not immortality. That would have been a reward, not a punishment! Instead, they were told that they would "return to the ground, for out of it [they] were taken." God emphasized to Adam: "For dust you are and to dust you will return." (Genesis 3:19) Thus, the teaching of inherent immortality of the soul is not in the Bible but was borrowed by Christendom from Non-Christian peoples who lived before them.
Also, Christendom's Trinity doctrine portrays God as some mysterious three-in-one God. But that teaching is not found in the Bible either. For instance, at Isaiah 40:25, God clearly states: " To whom can you people liken me so that I should be made his equal?" The answer is obvious: No one can be his equal. Also, Psalm 83:18 simply states: "You whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth." - See also Isaiah 45:5; 46:9; John 5:19; 6:38; 7:16.
The teachings of the Bible about God and his purposes are clear, easy to understand and reasonable. But the teachings of Christendom's churches are not. Worse, they contradict the Bible.
Continued-Next time: Ungodly Actions
1.30.2005
1.27.2005
Christendom Has Betrayed God And The Bible
People in many lands have avoided the Bible and have lacked respect for it because of the bad conduct of those who claim to follow it. In certain lands it has been said that the Bible is a book that leads to war, that it is a white man's book, and that it is a book that supports colonialism. But those are mistaken views.
The Bible, written in the Middle East, does not support the colonial wars and greedy exploitation that have been carried on in the name of Christianity for such a long time. On the contrary, by reading the Bible and learning the teachings of true Christianity taught by Jesus, you will see that the Bible strongly condemns warring, immorality, and the exploiting of others. The fault lies with greedy people, not with the Bible. (1 Corinthians 13:1-6; James 4:1-13; 5:1-6; 1 John 4:7, 8) So do not let the misconduct of selfish people who live contrary to the Bible's good counsel prevent your benefiting from its treasures.
Included among those who do not live by the Bible are the peoples and nations of Christendom. "Christendom" is defined as that part of the world where Christianity prevails. It is largely the Western world with its church systems, which from about the fourth century C.E. became prominent. Christendom has had the Bible for centuries, and its clergy claim to teach it and to be God's representatives. But do the clergy and missionaries of Christendom teach the truth? Do their actions really represent God and the Bible? Does Christianity really prevail in Christendom? No. Since its religion came to the foefront in the fouth century, Christendom has proved to be an enemy of God and of the Bible. Yes, the facts of history show that Christendom has betrayed God and the Bible.
Continued - Next time: Unbiblical Doctrines
People in many lands have avoided the Bible and have lacked respect for it because of the bad conduct of those who claim to follow it. In certain lands it has been said that the Bible is a book that leads to war, that it is a white man's book, and that it is a book that supports colonialism. But those are mistaken views.
The Bible, written in the Middle East, does not support the colonial wars and greedy exploitation that have been carried on in the name of Christianity for such a long time. On the contrary, by reading the Bible and learning the teachings of true Christianity taught by Jesus, you will see that the Bible strongly condemns warring, immorality, and the exploiting of others. The fault lies with greedy people, not with the Bible. (1 Corinthians 13:1-6; James 4:1-13; 5:1-6; 1 John 4:7, 8) So do not let the misconduct of selfish people who live contrary to the Bible's good counsel prevent your benefiting from its treasures.
Included among those who do not live by the Bible are the peoples and nations of Christendom. "Christendom" is defined as that part of the world where Christianity prevails. It is largely the Western world with its church systems, which from about the fourth century C.E. became prominent. Christendom has had the Bible for centuries, and its clergy claim to teach it and to be God's representatives. But do the clergy and missionaries of Christendom teach the truth? Do their actions really represent God and the Bible? Does Christianity really prevail in Christendom? No. Since its religion came to the foefront in the fouth century, Christendom has proved to be an enemy of God and of the Bible. Yes, the facts of history show that Christendom has betrayed God and the Bible.
Continued - Next time: Unbiblical Doctrines
1.23.2005
It Gives The Answer
Hence, in many ways, the Bible bears the evidence of being the inspired Word of the Supreme Being. As such, it tells us why humans are on the earth, why there is so much suffering, where we are going, and how conditions will change for the better. It reveals to us that there is a supreme God who created humans and this earth for a purpose and that his purpose will be fulfilled. (Isaiah 14:24) The Bible also reveals to us what true religion is and how we can find it. Thus, it is the only source of superior wisdom that can tell us the truth about all the important questions of life. - Psalm 146:3; Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 2:2-4.
While there is abundant proof of the authenticity and truthfulness of the Bible, do all who say they accept it follow its teachings? Consider, for example, the nations that claim to practice Christianity, that is, Christendom. They have had access to the Bible for many centuries. But do their thinking and actions truly reflect God's superior wisdom?
Continued- Next time: Christendom Has Betrayed God And The Bible
Hence, in many ways, the Bible bears the evidence of being the inspired Word of the Supreme Being. As such, it tells us why humans are on the earth, why there is so much suffering, where we are going, and how conditions will change for the better. It reveals to us that there is a supreme God who created humans and this earth for a purpose and that his purpose will be fulfilled. (Isaiah 14:24) The Bible also reveals to us what true religion is and how we can find it. Thus, it is the only source of superior wisdom that can tell us the truth about all the important questions of life. - Psalm 146:3; Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 2:2-4.
While there is abundant proof of the authenticity and truthfulness of the Bible, do all who say they accept it follow its teachings? Consider, for example, the nations that claim to practice Christianity, that is, Christendom. They have had access to the Bible for many centuries. But do their thinking and actions truly reflect God's superior wisdom?
Continued- Next time: Christendom Has Betrayed God And The Bible
1.20.2005
Fulfilled Prophecy
In addition, the Bible bears the mark of divine inspiration in a uniquely outstanding way: It is a book of prophecies that have had and continue to have unerring fulfillment.
For example, the destruction of ancient Tyre, the fall of Babylon, the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and the rise and fall of the kings of Medo-Persia and Greece were foretold in great detail in the Bible. The prophecies were so accurate that some critics tried, in vain, to say they were written after the events took place. - Isaiah 13:17-19; 44:27-45:1; Ezekiel 26:3-6; Daniel 8:1-7, 20-22.
The prophecies that Jesus gave about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. were accurately fulfilled. (Luke 19:41-44; 21:20, 21) And prophecies about "the last days" given by Jesus and the apostle Paul are being fulfilled in detail in our very own time..- 2Timothy 3:1-5, 13; Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21.
No human mind, however, intelligent, could so accurately predict future events. Only the mind of the all-powerful and all-wise Creator of the universe could, as we read at 2 Peter 1:20, 21: "No prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. For prophecy was at no time brought by man's will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit."
Continue- Next time: It Gives The Answer
In addition, the Bible bears the mark of divine inspiration in a uniquely outstanding way: It is a book of prophecies that have had and continue to have unerring fulfillment.
For example, the destruction of ancient Tyre, the fall of Babylon, the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and the rise and fall of the kings of Medo-Persia and Greece were foretold in great detail in the Bible. The prophecies were so accurate that some critics tried, in vain, to say they were written after the events took place. - Isaiah 13:17-19; 44:27-45:1; Ezekiel 26:3-6; Daniel 8:1-7, 20-22.
The prophecies that Jesus gave about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. were accurately fulfilled. (Luke 19:41-44; 21:20, 21) And prophecies about "the last days" given by Jesus and the apostle Paul are being fulfilled in detail in our very own time..- 2Timothy 3:1-5, 13; Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21.
No human mind, however, intelligent, could so accurately predict future events. Only the mind of the all-powerful and all-wise Creator of the universe could, as we read at 2 Peter 1:20, 21: "No prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. For prophecy was at no time brought by man's will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit."
Continue- Next time: It Gives The Answer
1.18.2005
Its Most Distinctive Features
The Bible itself reveals why it is so accurate in scientific, historical and other matters and why it is so harmonious and honest. It shows that the Supreme Being, the almighty God, the Creator who authored the universe, is the Bible's author. He merely used human Bible writers as his penmen, moving them by his powerful active force to put down what he inspired them to write.
In the Bible the apostle Paul states: "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work." And the apostle Paul also said: "When you received God's word, which you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God." - 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
Thus, the Bible comes from the mind of one Author - God. And with his awesome power, it was a simple thing for him to make certain that the integrity of what was written was preserved down to our day. Of this a leading authority in Bible manuscripts, Sir Frederic in Kenyon, in 1940, said: "The last foundation for any doubt that the Scriptures have come down to us substantially as they were written has now been removed."
Humans have the abiltiy to send radio and television signals to the earth from thousands of miles in space, even from the moon. Space probes have sent back to the earth physical information and pictures from planets that are hundreds of millions of miles away. Surely man's Creator, the Creator of radio waves, could do at least as much. Really, it was a simple thing for him to use his almight power to transmit words and pictures to the minds of those he chose to record the Bible.
Moreover, there are many things about the earth and life on it that give evidence of God's interest in mankind. Therefore, it is understandable that he would want to help humans find out who he is and what his purpose is for them by expressing these things clearly in a book - a permanent document.
Consider, too, the superiority of a book authored by God, compared with information handed down by humans only by word of mouth. Word of mouth would not be reliable as people would paraphrase the message, and over a period of time, its meaning would be distorted. They would relay the information by the spoken word according to their own viewpoint. But a God-inspired, permanent written record is much less likely to contain errors. Also, a book can be reproduced and translated so that people reading various languages can benefit from it. So is it not reasonable that our Creator uses such a means to provide information? Indeed, it is more than reasonable, since the Creator says that this is what he did.
Continued-Next time: Fulfilled Prophecy
The Bible itself reveals why it is so accurate in scientific, historical and other matters and why it is so harmonious and honest. It shows that the Supreme Being, the almighty God, the Creator who authored the universe, is the Bible's author. He merely used human Bible writers as his penmen, moving them by his powerful active force to put down what he inspired them to write.
In the Bible the apostle Paul states: "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work." And the apostle Paul also said: "When you received God's word, which you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God." - 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
Thus, the Bible comes from the mind of one Author - God. And with his awesome power, it was a simple thing for him to make certain that the integrity of what was written was preserved down to our day. Of this a leading authority in Bible manuscripts, Sir Frederic in Kenyon, in 1940, said: "The last foundation for any doubt that the Scriptures have come down to us substantially as they were written has now been removed."
Humans have the abiltiy to send radio and television signals to the earth from thousands of miles in space, even from the moon. Space probes have sent back to the earth physical information and pictures from planets that are hundreds of millions of miles away. Surely man's Creator, the Creator of radio waves, could do at least as much. Really, it was a simple thing for him to use his almight power to transmit words and pictures to the minds of those he chose to record the Bible.
Moreover, there are many things about the earth and life on it that give evidence of God's interest in mankind. Therefore, it is understandable that he would want to help humans find out who he is and what his purpose is for them by expressing these things clearly in a book - a permanent document.
Consider, too, the superiority of a book authored by God, compared with information handed down by humans only by word of mouth. Word of mouth would not be reliable as people would paraphrase the message, and over a period of time, its meaning would be distorted. They would relay the information by the spoken word according to their own viewpoint. But a God-inspired, permanent written record is much less likely to contain errors. Also, a book can be reproduced and translated so that people reading various languages can benefit from it. So is it not reasonable that our Creator uses such a means to provide information? Indeed, it is more than reasonable, since the Creator says that this is what he did.
Continued-Next time: Fulfilled Prophecy
1.12.2005
Internal Harmony And Candor
Imagine that a book began to be written during the time of the Roman Empire, continued down through the Middle Ages, and was completed in this 20th century, with many different writers contributing. What result would you anticipate if the writers were as diverse in their occupations as soldiers, kings, priests, fishermen, herdsmen and doctors? Would you expect the book to be harmonious and coherent? Hardly! you may say. Well, the Bible was written under these circumstances. Yet, it is harmonious in its entirety, not just in overall concepts but in minute details too.
The Bible is a collection of 66 written over a period of 1,600 years by some 40 different writers, beginning in 1513 B.C.E. and ending in 98 B.C.E. The writers came from different walks of life, and many had no contact with the others. Yet, the book that resulted follows a central, coherent theme throughout, as though produced by one mind. And contrary to the belief of some, the Bible is not a product of Western civilization, but it was written by Orientals.
While the majority of ancient writers reported only their successes and virtues, the Bible writers openly admitted their own mistakes, as well as the failings of their kings and leaders. Numbers 20:1-13 and Deuteronomy 32:50-52 record the failings of Moses, and he wrote those books. Jonah 1:1-3 and 4:1 list the failings of Jonah, who wrote those accounts. Matthew 17:18-20; 18:1-6; 20:20-28; and 26:56 record poor qualities shown by Jesus's disciples. Thus, the honesty and candor of the Bible writers give support to their claim of being inspired by God.
Continued - Next time: Its Most Distinctive Features
Imagine that a book began to be written during the time of the Roman Empire, continued down through the Middle Ages, and was completed in this 20th century, with many different writers contributing. What result would you anticipate if the writers were as diverse in their occupations as soldiers, kings, priests, fishermen, herdsmen and doctors? Would you expect the book to be harmonious and coherent? Hardly! you may say. Well, the Bible was written under these circumstances. Yet, it is harmonious in its entirety, not just in overall concepts but in minute details too.
The Bible is a collection of 66 written over a period of 1,600 years by some 40 different writers, beginning in 1513 B.C.E. and ending in 98 B.C.E. The writers came from different walks of life, and many had no contact with the others. Yet, the book that resulted follows a central, coherent theme throughout, as though produced by one mind. And contrary to the belief of some, the Bible is not a product of Western civilization, but it was written by Orientals.
While the majority of ancient writers reported only their successes and virtues, the Bible writers openly admitted their own mistakes, as well as the failings of their kings and leaders. Numbers 20:1-13 and Deuteronomy 32:50-52 record the failings of Moses, and he wrote those books. Jonah 1:1-3 and 4:1 list the failings of Jonah, who wrote those accounts. Matthew 17:18-20; 18:1-6; 20:20-28; and 26:56 record poor qualities shown by Jesus's disciples. Thus, the honesty and candor of the Bible writers give support to their claim of being inspired by God.
Continued - Next time: Its Most Distinctive Features
1.06.2005
Historical Accuracy
The Bible contains the most accurate ancient history of any book in existence. The book A Lawyer Examines The Bible highlights its historical accuracy this way: " While romances, legends and false testimony are careful to place the events related in some distant place and some indefinite time, thereby violating the first rules we lawyers learn of good pleading, that 'the declaration must give time and place,' the Bible narratives give us the date and place of the things related with the utmost precision."
The New Bible Dictionary comments: "[The writer of Acts] sets his narrative in the framework of contemporary history; his pages are full of references to city magistrates, provincial governors, client kings, and the like, and these references time after time prove to be just right for the place and time in question."
Writing in The Union Bible Companion S. Austin Allibone says: " Sir Isaac Newton... was also eminent as a critic of ancient writings, and examined with great care the Holy Scriptures. What is his verdict on this point? 'I find, says he, 'more sure marks of authenticity in the New Testament than in any profane [secular] history whatever.' Dr. Johnson says that we have more evidence that Jesus Christ died on Calvary, as stated in the Gospels, than we have that Julius Caesar died in the Capitol. We have indeed, far more.
This source adds: " Ask anyone who professes to doubt the truth of the Gospel history what reason he has for believing that Caesar died in the Capitol, or that the Emperor Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the West by Pope Leo III. In 800? ....How do you know that such a man as Charles I. [Of England] ever lived, and was beheaded, and that Oliver Cromwell became ruler is his stead? .... Sir Isaac Newton is credited with the discovery of the law of gravitation...We believe all the assertions just made respecting these men; and that because we have historical evidence of their truth...If, on the production of such proof as this, any still refuse to believe, we abandon them as stupidly perverse or hopelessly ignorant."
Then this source concludes: "What shall we say, then, of those who, notwithstanding the abundant evidence now produced of the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures, profess themselves unconvinced?.... Surely we have reason to conclude that it is the heart rather than the head which is at fault; - that they do no wish to believe that which humbles their pride, and will force them to lead different lives."
Continued- Next time: Internal Harmony And Candor
The Bible contains the most accurate ancient history of any book in existence. The book A Lawyer Examines The Bible highlights its historical accuracy this way: " While romances, legends and false testimony are careful to place the events related in some distant place and some indefinite time, thereby violating the first rules we lawyers learn of good pleading, that 'the declaration must give time and place,' the Bible narratives give us the date and place of the things related with the utmost precision."
The New Bible Dictionary comments: "[The writer of Acts] sets his narrative in the framework of contemporary history; his pages are full of references to city magistrates, provincial governors, client kings, and the like, and these references time after time prove to be just right for the place and time in question."
Writing in The Union Bible Companion S. Austin Allibone says: " Sir Isaac Newton... was also eminent as a critic of ancient writings, and examined with great care the Holy Scriptures. What is his verdict on this point? 'I find, says he, 'more sure marks of authenticity in the New Testament than in any profane [secular] history whatever.' Dr. Johnson says that we have more evidence that Jesus Christ died on Calvary, as stated in the Gospels, than we have that Julius Caesar died in the Capitol. We have indeed, far more.
This source adds: " Ask anyone who professes to doubt the truth of the Gospel history what reason he has for believing that Caesar died in the Capitol, or that the Emperor Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the West by Pope Leo III. In 800? ....How do you know that such a man as Charles I. [Of England] ever lived, and was beheaded, and that Oliver Cromwell became ruler is his stead? .... Sir Isaac Newton is credited with the discovery of the law of gravitation...We believe all the assertions just made respecting these men; and that because we have historical evidence of their truth...If, on the production of such proof as this, any still refuse to believe, we abandon them as stupidly perverse or hopelessly ignorant."
Then this source concludes: "What shall we say, then, of those who, notwithstanding the abundant evidence now produced of the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures, profess themselves unconvinced?.... Surely we have reason to conclude that it is the heart rather than the head which is at fault; - that they do no wish to believe that which humbles their pride, and will force them to lead different lives."
Continued- Next time: Internal Harmony And Candor
1.05.2005
The Composition Of Living Things
"Jehovah God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground," Genesis 2:7 states. The World Book Encyclopedia says: " All the chemical elements that make up living things are also present in nonliving matter." So all the basic chemicals that make up living organisms, including man, are also found in the earth itself. This harmonizes with the Bible's statement that identifies the material God used in creating humans and all other living things.
"According To Their Kinds." The Bible states that God created the first human pair and that from them all other humans descended. (Genesis 1:26-28; 3:20) It says that other living things, such as fish, birds and mammals, did the same, coming forth "according to their kinds." (Genesis 1:11m 12, 21, 24, 25) This is just what scientists have found in the natural creation, that every living thing comes from a parent of like kind. There is no exception. In this regard physicist Raymo observes: "Life makes life; it happens all the time in every cell. But how did nonlife make life? It is one of the biggest unanswered questions in biology, and so far biologists can offer little more than wild guesses. Somehow inanimate matter managed to get itself organized in an animate way.....The author of Genesis may have had it right, after all."
Continued- Next time: Historical Accuracy
"Jehovah God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground," Genesis 2:7 states. The World Book Encyclopedia says: " All the chemical elements that make up living things are also present in nonliving matter." So all the basic chemicals that make up living organisms, including man, are also found in the earth itself. This harmonizes with the Bible's statement that identifies the material God used in creating humans and all other living things.
"According To Their Kinds." The Bible states that God created the first human pair and that from them all other humans descended. (Genesis 1:26-28; 3:20) It says that other living things, such as fish, birds and mammals, did the same, coming forth "according to their kinds." (Genesis 1:11m 12, 21, 24, 25) This is just what scientists have found in the natural creation, that every living thing comes from a parent of like kind. There is no exception. In this regard physicist Raymo observes: "Life makes life; it happens all the time in every cell. But how did nonlife make life? It is one of the biggest unanswered questions in biology, and so far biologists can offer little more than wild guesses. Somehow inanimate matter managed to get itself organized in an animate way.....The author of Genesis may have had it right, after all."
Continued- Next time: Historical Accuracy
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