The Evidence Against Biology
For a long time, scientists have been tackling the monumental task of finding genetic cures for human pathology and behavior. After ten years of work by six teams of researchers, the gene linked to Huntington's disease was isolated, although the researchers have no idea how the gene causes the disease. However, reporting on this research, Scientific American quoted Harvard biologist Evan Balaban, who said that it would be "almost infinitely harder to discover genes for behavioral disorders."
In fact, research attempting to link specific genes to human behavior has been unsucessful. For instance, in Psychology Today, a report on efforts to find genetic causes for depression states: "Epidemiologic data on the major mental illnesses make it clear that they can't be reduced to purely genetic causes.." The report gives an example: "Americans born before 1905 had a 1 percent rate of depression by age 75. Among Americans born a half century later, 6 percent become depressed by age 24! " It thus concludes that only external or social factors can bring about such dramatic changes in such a short time.
What do these and numerous other sutdies tell us? While genes may play a role in shaping our personalities, there clearly are other influences. A major factor is our environment, which has undergone radical changes in modern times. Concerning what today's youth are exposed to in popular entertainment, the book Boys Will Be Boys observes that it is unlikely that children will develop sound moral principles when they "grow up watching tens of thousands of hours of TV shows and films in which people are assaulted, shot, stabbed, disemboweled, chopped up, skinned, or dismembered, when children grow up listening to music which glorifies rape, suicide, drugs, alcohol and bigotry."
Clearly, Satan, "the ruler of this world," has shaped an environment that caters to man's baser desires. And who can deny the powerful influence that such an environment exerts on all of us? - John 12:31; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:9, 12.
Next time: The Root Of Mankind's Trouble
11.26.2005
11.19.2005
How It All Started
Most people are familiar with, or at least have heard of, the account about the fall of the first human pair, Adam and Eve, in the garden of Eden. Were they made with some intrinsic defect in the genes right from the start, a sort of design flaw that predisposed them to sin and disobedience? Their Creator, Jehovah God, whose works are all perfect, proclaimed that his crowning earthly creation was "very good." ( Genesis 1:31; Deuteronomy 32:4) As further evidence of his satisfaction with his work, he gave the first couple his blessing and instructed them to be fruitful, to fill the earth with human creatures, and to take charge of his earthly creation-hardly the actions of someone uncertain of his handiwork. - Genesis 1:28.
Regarding the creation of the first human pair, the Bible tells us: " God proceeded to create the man in his image, in God's image he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27) This does not mean that humans were made to resemble God in physical appearance, for "God is a Spirit." (John 4:24) Rather, it means that human creatures were endowed with godly qualities and a sense of morality, a conscience. (Romans 2:14, 15) They were also free moral agents, capable of weighing a matter and deciding on the action to take. However, our first parents were not left without guidelines. Rather, they were warned of the consequences of wrongdoing. (Genesis 2:17) So the evidence indicates that when Adam was faced with a moral decision, he chose to do what to him seemed expedient or advantageous at the time. He followed his wife in her wrong doing instead of considering his relationship with his Creator or the long-term affects of his action. He also tried later to shift the blame to Jehovah, saying that the wife he had provided misled him. - Genesis 3:6, 12; 1Timothy 2:14.
God's response to the sin of Adam and Eve is revealing. He did not try to correct some 'design flaw' in their genes. Rather, he carried out what he told them would be the consequences of their actions, which led to their eventual death. (Genesis 3:17-19) This early history sheds much light on the nature of human behavior."
Most people are familiar with, or at least have heard of, the account about the fall of the first human pair, Adam and Eve, in the garden of Eden. Were they made with some intrinsic defect in the genes right from the start, a sort of design flaw that predisposed them to sin and disobedience? Their Creator, Jehovah God, whose works are all perfect, proclaimed that his crowning earthly creation was "very good." ( Genesis 1:31; Deuteronomy 32:4) As further evidence of his satisfaction with his work, he gave the first couple his blessing and instructed them to be fruitful, to fill the earth with human creatures, and to take charge of his earthly creation-hardly the actions of someone uncertain of his handiwork. - Genesis 1:28.
Regarding the creation of the first human pair, the Bible tells us: " God proceeded to create the man in his image, in God's image he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27) This does not mean that humans were made to resemble God in physical appearance, for "God is a Spirit." (John 4:24) Rather, it means that human creatures were endowed with godly qualities and a sense of morality, a conscience. (Romans 2:14, 15) They were also free moral agents, capable of weighing a matter and deciding on the action to take. However, our first parents were not left without guidelines. Rather, they were warned of the consequences of wrongdoing. (Genesis 2:17) So the evidence indicates that when Adam was faced with a moral decision, he chose to do what to him seemed expedient or advantageous at the time. He followed his wife in her wrong doing instead of considering his relationship with his Creator or the long-term affects of his action. He also tried later to shift the blame to Jehovah, saying that the wife he had provided misled him. - Genesis 3:6, 12; 1Timothy 2:14.
God's response to the sin of Adam and Eve is revealing. He did not try to correct some 'design flaw' in their genes. Rather, he carried out what he told them would be the consequences of their actions, which led to their eventual death. (Genesis 3:17-19) This early history sheds much light on the nature of human behavior."
11.12.2005
Who Is To Blame You Or Your Genes?
Scientists are hard at work to try to find genetic causes for alcoholism, homosexuality, promiscuity, violence, other aberrant behavior and even for death itself. Would it not be a relief to find that we are not responsible for our actions but are merely victims of biology? It is human nature to blame someone or something else for our errors.
If the genes are to blame, scientists hold out the possibility of changing them, eliminating undesirable traits through genetic engineering. The recent success in mapping the entire human genome has given such aspirations new impetus.
This scenario, however, is based on the premise that our genetic endowment is indeed, the villain responsible for all our sins and errors. Have the scientific detectives found enough evidence to make a case against our genes? Obviously, the answer will profoundly affect how we see ourselves and our future. Before examining the evidence, though, a look at mankind's origins will prove enlightening.
Next time: How It All Started
Scientists are hard at work to try to find genetic causes for alcoholism, homosexuality, promiscuity, violence, other aberrant behavior and even for death itself. Would it not be a relief to find that we are not responsible for our actions but are merely victims of biology? It is human nature to blame someone or something else for our errors.
If the genes are to blame, scientists hold out the possibility of changing them, eliminating undesirable traits through genetic engineering. The recent success in mapping the entire human genome has given such aspirations new impetus.
This scenario, however, is based on the premise that our genetic endowment is indeed, the villain responsible for all our sins and errors. Have the scientific detectives found enough evidence to make a case against our genes? Obviously, the answer will profoundly affect how we see ourselves and our future. Before examining the evidence, though, a look at mankind's origins will prove enlightening.
Next time: How It All Started
10.22.2005
Myth 5: Death Means The Permanent End Of Our Existence
We cease to exist when we die, but this does not mean that everything is necessarily finished. The faithful man Job knew that he would go to the grave, Sheol, when he died. But listen to his prayer to God: " O that in Sheol you would conceal me, that you would keep me secret until your anger turns back, that you would set a time limit for me and remember me! If an able-bodied man dies can he live again?...You will call, and I myself shall answer you." - Job 14:13-15.
Job believed that if he was faithful until death, he would be remembered by God and in time be resurrected. This was the belief of all of God's servants in ancient times. Jesus himself confirmed this hope and showed that God would use him to raise the dead. Christ's own words give us this assurance: " The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear [Jesus']voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment." - John 5:28, 29.
Very shortly God will remove all wickedness and establish a new world under heavenly rulership. (Psalm 37:10, 11; Daniel 2:44; Revelation 16:14, 16) the result will be a paradise over the whole earth, inhabited by people who server God. In the Bible we read: " I heard a loud voice from the throne say: 'Look! the tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more,neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.' " - Revelation 21:3, 4.
Free From Fear
Knowledge of the resurrection hope coupled with knowledge of the one who is the source of that provision can comfort you. Jesus promised: " You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) That includes emancipating us from the fear of death. Jehovah is the only one who can actually change the process of aging and death and grant us eternal life. Can you believe in God's promises? Yes, you can because God's Word always comes true. (Isaiah 55:11) We urge you to learn more about God's purposes for mankind. Jehovah's Witnesses will be delighted to help you.
We cease to exist when we die, but this does not mean that everything is necessarily finished. The faithful man Job knew that he would go to the grave, Sheol, when he died. But listen to his prayer to God: " O that in Sheol you would conceal me, that you would keep me secret until your anger turns back, that you would set a time limit for me and remember me! If an able-bodied man dies can he live again?...You will call, and I myself shall answer you." - Job 14:13-15.
Job believed that if he was faithful until death, he would be remembered by God and in time be resurrected. This was the belief of all of God's servants in ancient times. Jesus himself confirmed this hope and showed that God would use him to raise the dead. Christ's own words give us this assurance: " The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear [Jesus']voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment." - John 5:28, 29.
Very shortly God will remove all wickedness and establish a new world under heavenly rulership. (Psalm 37:10, 11; Daniel 2:44; Revelation 16:14, 16) the result will be a paradise over the whole earth, inhabited by people who server God. In the Bible we read: " I heard a loud voice from the throne say: 'Look! the tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more,neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.' " - Revelation 21:3, 4.
Free From Fear
Knowledge of the resurrection hope coupled with knowledge of the one who is the source of that provision can comfort you. Jesus promised: " You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) That includes emancipating us from the fear of death. Jehovah is the only one who can actually change the process of aging and death and grant us eternal life. Can you believe in God's promises? Yes, you can because God's Word always comes true. (Isaiah 55:11) We urge you to learn more about God's purposes for mankind. Jehovah's Witnesses will be delighted to help you.
10.15.2005
Myth 4: Some People Are Just Tormented After Death
Many religions teach that the wicked will go to a fiery hell and be tormented forever. Is this teaching logical and Scriptural? The human life span is limited to 70 or 80 years. Even if someone was guilty of extreme wickedness all his life, would everlasting torment be just a punishment? No. It would be grossly unjust to torment a man forever for the sins that he committed in a short lifetime.
Only God can reveal what happens after people die, and he has done so in his written Word, the Bible. This is what the Bible says: "As the [beast] dies, so the [man] dies; and they all have but one spirit....all are going to one place. They have all come to be from the dust, and they are all returning to the dust." (Ecclesiastes 3:19, 20) There is no mention here of a fiery hell. Humans return to dust - to nonexistence -when they die.
In order to be tormented, a person has to be conscious. Are the dead conscious? Once again, the Bible gives the answer: "the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages,m because the remembrance of them has been forgotten." (Ecclesiastes 9:5) It is impossible for the dead , who are conscious of nothing at all," to experience agony anywhere.
Continued - Next time: Myth 5: Death means the permanent end of our existence.
Many religions teach that the wicked will go to a fiery hell and be tormented forever. Is this teaching logical and Scriptural? The human life span is limited to 70 or 80 years. Even if someone was guilty of extreme wickedness all his life, would everlasting torment be just a punishment? No. It would be grossly unjust to torment a man forever for the sins that he committed in a short lifetime.
Only God can reveal what happens after people die, and he has done so in his written Word, the Bible. This is what the Bible says: "As the [beast] dies, so the [man] dies; and they all have but one spirit....all are going to one place. They have all come to be from the dust, and they are all returning to the dust." (Ecclesiastes 3:19, 20) There is no mention here of a fiery hell. Humans return to dust - to nonexistence -when they die.
In order to be tormented, a person has to be conscious. Are the dead conscious? Once again, the Bible gives the answer: "the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages,m because the remembrance of them has been forgotten." (Ecclesiastes 9:5) It is impossible for the dead , who are conscious of nothing at all," to experience agony anywhere.
Continued - Next time: Myth 5: Death means the permanent end of our existence.
10.08.2005
Myth 3: God Takes Little Children To Become Angels
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, who studied terminally ill individuals, referred to another common perception among religious people. Describing a real incident, she stated that it is "unwise to tell a little child who lost her brother that God loved little boys so much that he took little Johnny to heaven." Such a statement cast God in a bad light and does not reflect his personality and behavior. Dr. Kubler-Ross continued: " When this little girl grew up to be a woman she never solved her anger at God, which resulted ina psychotic depression when she lost her own little son three decades later."
Why would God snatch a child to get another angel - as if God needed a child more than the child's parents did? If it were true that God takes children, would that not make him an unloving, selfish Creator? Contrary to such a perception, the Bible says: " Love is from God." (1John 4:7) Would a God of love cause a loss that even humans with any measure of decency would not tolerate?
So why do children die? Part of the Bible's answer is recorded at Eclesiastes 9:11: "Time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all." And Psalm 51:5 tells us that all of us are imperfect, sinful, from the time of our conception, and the eventuality for all men now is death from any number of causes. Sometimes death strikes before birth, resulting in a stillbirth. In other cases, children succumb to their dire circumstance's or have accidents and die. God is not responsible for such eventualities.
Continued -Next time: Myth 4: Some People Are Tormented After Death
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, who studied terminally ill individuals, referred to another common perception among religious people. Describing a real incident, she stated that it is "unwise to tell a little child who lost her brother that God loved little boys so much that he took little Johnny to heaven." Such a statement cast God in a bad light and does not reflect his personality and behavior. Dr. Kubler-Ross continued: " When this little girl grew up to be a woman she never solved her anger at God, which resulted ina psychotic depression when she lost her own little son three decades later."
Why would God snatch a child to get another angel - as if God needed a child more than the child's parents did? If it were true that God takes children, would that not make him an unloving, selfish Creator? Contrary to such a perception, the Bible says: " Love is from God." (1John 4:7) Would a God of love cause a loss that even humans with any measure of decency would not tolerate?
So why do children die? Part of the Bible's answer is recorded at Eclesiastes 9:11: "Time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all." And Psalm 51:5 tells us that all of us are imperfect, sinful, from the time of our conception, and the eventuality for all men now is death from any number of causes. Sometimes death strikes before birth, resulting in a stillbirth. In other cases, children succumb to their dire circumstance's or have accidents and die. God is not responsible for such eventualities.
Continued -Next time: Myth 4: Some People Are Tormented After Death
9.24.2005
Myth 2: God Takes People In Death To Be With Him
A 27 year - old mother who was dying and leaving three children behind told a Catholic nun: " Don't come in and tell me this is God's will for me.... I hate it when somebody else tells me this." Yet, this is what many religions teach about death - that God takes people to be near him.
Is the Creator really so cruel that he would callously inflict death on us, knowing that this breaks our hearts? No, not the God of the Bible. According to 1 John 4:8, "God is love." Note that it does not say that God has love or that God is loving, but it says that God is love. So intense, so pure, so perfect is God's love, so thoroughly does it permeate his personality and actions that he may rightly be spoken of as the very personification of love. This is not a God who takes people in death to be near him.
False religion has left many confused as to the whereabouts and condition of the dead. Heaven, hell, purgatory, limbo - these and various other destinations range from being incomprehensible to being downright terrifying. The Bible, on the other hand, tells us that the dead are unconscious; They are in a condition best compared to sleep. (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; John 11:11-14) Thus, we need not worry about what happens to us after death, any more than we worry when we see someone sleeping soundly. Jesus spoke of a time when "all those in the memorial tombs" would "come out" to renewed life on a paradise earth. - John 5:28, 29; Luke 23:43.
Continued-Next time: Myth 3: God takes little children to become angels.
A 27 year - old mother who was dying and leaving three children behind told a Catholic nun: " Don't come in and tell me this is God's will for me.... I hate it when somebody else tells me this." Yet, this is what many religions teach about death - that God takes people to be near him.
Is the Creator really so cruel that he would callously inflict death on us, knowing that this breaks our hearts? No, not the God of the Bible. According to 1 John 4:8, "God is love." Note that it does not say that God has love or that God is loving, but it says that God is love. So intense, so pure, so perfect is God's love, so thoroughly does it permeate his personality and actions that he may rightly be spoken of as the very personification of love. This is not a God who takes people in death to be near him.
False religion has left many confused as to the whereabouts and condition of the dead. Heaven, hell, purgatory, limbo - these and various other destinations range from being incomprehensible to being downright terrifying. The Bible, on the other hand, tells us that the dead are unconscious; They are in a condition best compared to sleep. (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; John 11:11-14) Thus, we need not worry about what happens to us after death, any more than we worry when we see someone sleeping soundly. Jesus spoke of a time when "all those in the memorial tombs" would "come out" to renewed life on a paradise earth. - John 5:28, 29; Luke 23:43.
Continued-Next time: Myth 3: God takes little children to become angels.
9.17.2005
A Closer Look At Some Myths About Death
Throughout history, man has stood perplexed and apprehensive before the dark prospect of death. What is more, fear of death has been fueled by a mix of false religious ideas, popular customs, and ingrained personal beliefs. The problem with fear of death is that it can paralyze one's ability to enjoy life and erode one's confidence that there is meaning to life.
Popular religion is especially reprehensible for promoting a number of popular myths regarding death. By examing a few of these under the light of Bible truth, see if you personal perceptions about death can be clarified.
Myth 1: Death is the natural end of life.
"Death ...is an integral part of our lives, " says the book of Death - The Final Stage Of Growth. Comments like this reflect the belief that death is normal, the natural ending of all living organisms. In turn, such a belief has fostered a nihilistic philosophy and opportunistic behavior in many.
But is death really the natural end of life? Not all researchers believe so. For instance, Calvin Harley, a biologist who studies human aging, says in an interview that he does not believe that humans "have a program to die." Immunolisist William Clark observed: "Death is not inextricable interwined with the definition of life." And Seymour Benzer, of the California Institute of technology, muses that "aging can be better described not as a clock but as a scenario, which we can hope to edit."
When scientists study the design of humans, they are baffled. They find that we have been endowed with resources and capabilities that far exceed the needs of our 70 - 80 year life span. For example, scientists have found that the human brain has immense memory capacity. Our reseacher estimated that our brain can hold information that "would fill some twenty million volumes, as many as in the world's largest libraries." Some neuroscientist figure that during an average lifetime, a person uses only 1/100 of 1 percent (.0001) of his potential brain capacity. It is appropriate to ask, 'why do we have a brain with such a large capacity when we utilize only a tiny fraction of it in an average lifetime?'
Consider also how unnaturally humans react to death! For the majority, the death of a wife, a husband, or a child can be the oust upsetting experience of a lifetime. People's entire emotional makeup is often jarred for a long time after the death of a person dearly loved. Even those who claim that death is natural to humans find it hard to accept the idea that their own death will mean the end of everything. The British Medical Journal spoke of "a common expert presumption that everybody wants to live as long a possible."
In view of man's general reaction to death, his amazing potential for remembering and learning, and his inward longing for eternity, is it not clear that he was made to live in it? Indeed, God created humans, not with death as the natural outcome, but with the prospect of living on indefinitely. Note what God set before the first human pair as their future: "Be fruitful and become multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving upon the earth." (Genesis 1:28) What a wonderful, lasting future that is!
Continue:Next time: Myth 2: God takes people in death to be with him.
Throughout history, man has stood perplexed and apprehensive before the dark prospect of death. What is more, fear of death has been fueled by a mix of false religious ideas, popular customs, and ingrained personal beliefs. The problem with fear of death is that it can paralyze one's ability to enjoy life and erode one's confidence that there is meaning to life.
Popular religion is especially reprehensible for promoting a number of popular myths regarding death. By examing a few of these under the light of Bible truth, see if you personal perceptions about death can be clarified.
Myth 1: Death is the natural end of life.
"Death ...is an integral part of our lives, " says the book of Death - The Final Stage Of Growth. Comments like this reflect the belief that death is normal, the natural ending of all living organisms. In turn, such a belief has fostered a nihilistic philosophy and opportunistic behavior in many.
But is death really the natural end of life? Not all researchers believe so. For instance, Calvin Harley, a biologist who studies human aging, says in an interview that he does not believe that humans "have a program to die." Immunolisist William Clark observed: "Death is not inextricable interwined with the definition of life." And Seymour Benzer, of the California Institute of technology, muses that "aging can be better described not as a clock but as a scenario, which we can hope to edit."
When scientists study the design of humans, they are baffled. They find that we have been endowed with resources and capabilities that far exceed the needs of our 70 - 80 year life span. For example, scientists have found that the human brain has immense memory capacity. Our reseacher estimated that our brain can hold information that "would fill some twenty million volumes, as many as in the world's largest libraries." Some neuroscientist figure that during an average lifetime, a person uses only 1/100 of 1 percent (.0001) of his potential brain capacity. It is appropriate to ask, 'why do we have a brain with such a large capacity when we utilize only a tiny fraction of it in an average lifetime?'
Consider also how unnaturally humans react to death! For the majority, the death of a wife, a husband, or a child can be the oust upsetting experience of a lifetime. People's entire emotional makeup is often jarred for a long time after the death of a person dearly loved. Even those who claim that death is natural to humans find it hard to accept the idea that their own death will mean the end of everything. The British Medical Journal spoke of "a common expert presumption that everybody wants to live as long a possible."
In view of man's general reaction to death, his amazing potential for remembering and learning, and his inward longing for eternity, is it not clear that he was made to live in it? Indeed, God created humans, not with death as the natural outcome, but with the prospect of living on indefinitely. Note what God set before the first human pair as their future: "Be fruitful and become multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving upon the earth." (Genesis 1:28) What a wonderful, lasting future that is!
Continue:Next time: Myth 2: God takes people in death to be with him.
8.04.2005
Relief From Stress-A Practical Remedy
"Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you."
Matthew 11:28
You would probably agree that too much stress is bad; It amounts to distress The Bible points out that all human creation is so weighed down with burdens that many anxiously await release from today's stressful life. (Romans 8:20-22) But the Scriptures also show how we can gain considerable relief from distress right now. That comes from following the advice and example of a young man who lived 20 centuries ago. He was a carpenter, yet his greater love was for people. He spoke to people's hearts, addressed their needs, helping the weak and consoling the depressed. Even more, he assisted many to reach their spiritual potential. They thus found relief from excess stress, even as you can.- Luke 4:16-21; 19:47, 48; John 7:46.
This man, Jesus of Nazareth, was not guided by the sophisticated learning that some sought in ancient Rome, Athens or Alexandria. Still, his teachings are renowned. They had a theme: the government by which God will successfully rule our earth. Jesus also explained basic principles for living - principles that are truly valuable today. Those who learn and apply what Jesus taught enjoy immediate benefits relief from excess stress. Would you not enjoy that?
You may have doubts. 'Can someone who lived so long ago be meaningful in my life now? ' Well, listen to Jesus' inviting words: " Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) What did he mean? Let us examine these words in some detail and see how they open the way to relief from oppressive stress.
Jesus spoke to many who were desperately trying to do what was lawful but who were "loaded down" because the Jewish leaders made religion a burdensome thing. (Matthew 23:4) They focused on endless rules for virtually all aspects of life. Would you not find it stressful to keep hearing "you must not" do this or that? In contrast, Jesus' invitation was to truth, to righteousness, to a better life by listening to him. Yes, the way to know the true God involved paying attention to Jesus Christ, for in him, humans could - and can - see what Jehovah is like. Jesus said: "He that has seen me has seen the Father also." - John 14:9.
"Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you."
Matthew 11:28
You would probably agree that too much stress is bad; It amounts to distress The Bible points out that all human creation is so weighed down with burdens that many anxiously await release from today's stressful life. (Romans 8:20-22) But the Scriptures also show how we can gain considerable relief from distress right now. That comes from following the advice and example of a young man who lived 20 centuries ago. He was a carpenter, yet his greater love was for people. He spoke to people's hearts, addressed their needs, helping the weak and consoling the depressed. Even more, he assisted many to reach their spiritual potential. They thus found relief from excess stress, even as you can.- Luke 4:16-21; 19:47, 48; John 7:46.
This man, Jesus of Nazareth, was not guided by the sophisticated learning that some sought in ancient Rome, Athens or Alexandria. Still, his teachings are renowned. They had a theme: the government by which God will successfully rule our earth. Jesus also explained basic principles for living - principles that are truly valuable today. Those who learn and apply what Jesus taught enjoy immediate benefits relief from excess stress. Would you not enjoy that?
You may have doubts. 'Can someone who lived so long ago be meaningful in my life now? ' Well, listen to Jesus' inviting words: " Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) What did he mean? Let us examine these words in some detail and see how they open the way to relief from oppressive stress.
Jesus spoke to many who were desperately trying to do what was lawful but who were "loaded down" because the Jewish leaders made religion a burdensome thing. (Matthew 23:4) They focused on endless rules for virtually all aspects of life. Would you not find it stressful to keep hearing "you must not" do this or that? In contrast, Jesus' invitation was to truth, to righteousness, to a better life by listening to him. Yes, the way to know the true God involved paying attention to Jesus Christ, for in him, humans could - and can - see what Jehovah is like. Jesus said: "He that has seen me has seen the Father also." - John 14:9.
8.01.2005
The Real Jesus And Your Future
Besides giving a real-life picture of Jesus while he was on earth, the Bible shows that he had a prehuman existence as the only begotten Son of God, "the first born of all creation." (Colossians 1:15 )Twenty centuries ago, God transferred the life of his heavenly Son to the womb of a Jewish virgin for him to be born as a human. (Matthew 1:18) During his earthly ministry, Jesus proclaimed God's Kingdom as the only hope for distressed humanity, and he trained his disciples to continue this preaching work. - Matthew 4:17; 10:5; 28:19, 20.
On Nisan 14 (about April 1), 33 C.E.,Jesus was arrested, tried, sentenced, and executed on the false charge of sedition. (Matthew 26:18-20,48-27:50)Jesus' death serves as a ransom, releasing believing mankind from their sinful state and thus opening the way to eternal life for all who exercise faith in him. (Romans 3:23. 24; 1John 2:2) On Nisan 16, Jesus was resurrected, and shortly thereafter he ascended back to heaven. (Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:6-9) As Jehovah's appointed King, the resurrected Jesus has full authority to carry out God's original purpose for man. (Isaiah 9:6, 7; Luke 1:32, 33) Yes, the Bible presents Jesus as the key figure in the outworking of God's purposes.
In the first century, multitudes accepted Jesus for what he was-the promisd Messiah, or Christ, sent to earth to vindicate Jehovah's sovereignty and to die as a ransom for mankind. (Matthew 20:28; Luke 2:25-32; John 17:25, 26; 18:37) In the face of fierce persecution, people would hardly have been motivated to become Jesus' disciples if they had been unsure of his identity. Courageously and zealously, they took up the commission he gave them to "make disciples of people of all the nations." - Matthew 28:19.
Today, millions of sincere and informed Christians know that Jesus is no legendary figure. They accept him as the enthroned King of God's established Kingdom in heaven, who is about to take full control of the earth and its affairs. This divine government is welcome news because it promises relief from world problems. True Christians manifest their loyal support of Jehovah's chosen King by declaring "this good news of the kingdom " to others. - Matthew 24:14.
Those who support the Kingdom arrangement through Christ, the Son of the living God , will live to enjoy eternal blessing. These blessings can be yours too! The publishers of this journal will be happy to help you know the real Jesus.
Besides giving a real-life picture of Jesus while he was on earth, the Bible shows that he had a prehuman existence as the only begotten Son of God, "the first born of all creation." (Colossians 1:15 )Twenty centuries ago, God transferred the life of his heavenly Son to the womb of a Jewish virgin for him to be born as a human. (Matthew 1:18) During his earthly ministry, Jesus proclaimed God's Kingdom as the only hope for distressed humanity, and he trained his disciples to continue this preaching work. - Matthew 4:17; 10:5; 28:19, 20.
On Nisan 14 (about April 1), 33 C.E.,Jesus was arrested, tried, sentenced, and executed on the false charge of sedition. (Matthew 26:18-20,48-27:50)Jesus' death serves as a ransom, releasing believing mankind from their sinful state and thus opening the way to eternal life for all who exercise faith in him. (Romans 3:23. 24; 1John 2:2) On Nisan 16, Jesus was resurrected, and shortly thereafter he ascended back to heaven. (Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:6-9) As Jehovah's appointed King, the resurrected Jesus has full authority to carry out God's original purpose for man. (Isaiah 9:6, 7; Luke 1:32, 33) Yes, the Bible presents Jesus as the key figure in the outworking of God's purposes.
In the first century, multitudes accepted Jesus for what he was-the promisd Messiah, or Christ, sent to earth to vindicate Jehovah's sovereignty and to die as a ransom for mankind. (Matthew 20:28; Luke 2:25-32; John 17:25, 26; 18:37) In the face of fierce persecution, people would hardly have been motivated to become Jesus' disciples if they had been unsure of his identity. Courageously and zealously, they took up the commission he gave them to "make disciples of people of all the nations." - Matthew 28:19.
Today, millions of sincere and informed Christians know that Jesus is no legendary figure. They accept him as the enthroned King of God's established Kingdom in heaven, who is about to take full control of the earth and its affairs. This divine government is welcome news because it promises relief from world problems. True Christians manifest their loyal support of Jehovah's chosen King by declaring "this good news of the kingdom " to others. - Matthew 24:14.
Those who support the Kingdom arrangement through Christ, the Son of the living God , will live to enjoy eternal blessing. These blessings can be yours too! The publishers of this journal will be happy to help you know the real Jesus.
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