Discover great ways to grow in your spiritual life with the latest book from Dr. Stoll
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IS THERE ABSOLUTE TRUTH? John H. Stoll, Ph.D. Executive Director, ASK, Inc. In the context of today’s society, the idea of there being such a thing as absolute truth, seems to be irrelevant. Everything is relative or is up for revisionism. Is there no objective absolute truth, that one can depend on, or is it all subjective, that is, is it up to every person to decide what is true or not, right or wrong, good or evil? It seems as if each person’s perception of truth is accepted at face value. Therefore, there is no consensus of an objective set of standards or guidelines of life, to which all are required to obey. An illustration of this is readily seen in our country’s Constitution. Originally it was a document that everyone accepted as a true guideline for the citizens of our country. It was taken at face value, believing that our Founding Fathers had divine wisdom in formulating it. But over the past century it has been progressively eroded, until today it is looked upon as being an evolving document, and that since we are better educated and understand more, those in authority can interpret it far better, in a subjective manner that crowds out the past, the original writers, and any objective truth, such as the Ten Commandments upon which the Constitution was formulated, pushing it out of the way. In a similar vein, modern Theologians use the same template on the Bible, with a revisionist subjectivism. Since it was written thousands of years ago, by nomadic people, we who have far more intellectual understanding are able to subjectively criticize the Bible. So, it becomes a subjective interpretation, which leads to many fanciful conclusions, contrary to the plain teaching, and stating that there is no absolute truth. In Hebrews 13:9 it states that, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever”. If He never changes, then the truth (i.e. the revelation of the Bible) about Him should never change. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”. Therefore, the Bible is an objective absolute revelation from the Creator God to we who are His creation, and we are obligated to follow His commandments at face value. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that mankind devises all sorts of wicked devices. Human beings need an objective standard over against which we are able to judge the wicked thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The principles and precepts of the Bible are an absolute standard or guide for mankind, coming from a perfect God who knows us best, having created us. How does one know absolutely that the Bible is a credible document to use as a guide for life? The answer may be found in the various disciplines of life, that impose themselves upon us. The Bible is a true historical document, validated by Archaeology. It is Theologically valid as a unit, though written over 1500 years, on three continents and three languages, by some forty different writers. Philosophically, it has some of the most profound contemplative thoughts ever devised by mankind, as seen in the book of Job. Psychologically, there has never been any better elements on behaviors in life than found in the book of Proverbs. Scientifically, the Bible is ahead of the “curve” of Science, stating that the earth was round, at a time when it was thought to be flat (Isaiah 40:22). Finally, the past two hundred years of Archaeology has never uncovered anything contrary to the Biblical history, and everything it has uncovered has authenticated the Biblical account. Together, these professions weave a tight thread of absolute truth of the Bible being revealed from the Creator of mankind. Taken at face value, the Bible stands true when tested, and provides an absolute guide to the truth and manner of life, coming from a God who created us, and best knows how we should live, than we do ourselves. Over thousands of years, untold numbers of God’s children can attest to the validity of the principles and precepts of the Bible. What a testimony to its worth.
A CLARION CALL John H. Stoll, Ph.D. Executive Director, ASK, Inc. A clarion call is a clear and shrill sound. As one looks out over the situations in the world today, with natural catastrophes almost daily, political upheavals almost everywhere, and with major diseases that science may be unable to control, there is a need for a clarion call to alert mankind as to what God has to say to us, relative to the impending judgment that is about to take place. The basic selfishness of human nature, the greed seen everywhere, and violence, strife, family discord, and untold wickedness in general, is only inviting of God’s direct judgment, that the Bible tells us is coming. In 2 Timothy 3:1-7 it is plainly stated as to what is producing the judgment, and it is found in the word, SELF. A listing of all the problems that mankind has brought on himself concludes with what is evident in our world today, “Ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the TRUTH”. With all the vaunted knowledge we have produced, through science, the computer, and interaction among nations, we have more knowledge, but less ability to resolve our problems and get along with one another. In Luke 21:25,26, it tells us of, “Distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear”. All of these things are in abundance today, as never before. In Christendom and the Church we see a corresponding set of problems as well. In 1 Timothy 4:1,2, it points out that in the last days, “Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits, and doctrines that demons teach”. In the past generation there has been a great departure from the faith in the mainline denominations, with a tremendous decrease in membership because of it. In evangelical Churches, who have mainly stayed true to the faith, there has subtlety come a shift from being centered on Biblical teaching, to becoming a market, seeker friendly type of Church. This shift is not against Biblical Christianity, but is a softening of saying, “Thus sayeth the Lord” and a greater emphasis on meeting the “felt needs” of the members, to the detriment of Biblical principles Increasingly, there has been an emphasis on the health/wellness/ prosperity teaching on TV and in Churches, that is plainly not Biblical. There has been a “Dumbing down” of our music to lyrics that say very little about Biblical truths, with “vain repetition”, and the music is indicative of worldly music, hoping to bring in people to the Church. It is an underlying concept, to lower Biblical standards, trusting that the Church may be more attractive to the world, rather than setting a Biblical standard to challenge the world (See: Matthew 7:14). Christians and the Church are not commanded to accommodate ourselves to the world, but to elevate people in the world, to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Note: John 15:19). Pastors and Churches need to return to more Biblical teaching and less entertainment, more of instilling Biblical principles into minds and hearts, and less programs to attract people into the Church, more of a Church that is God centered and with a worshipful atmosphere, and less of a one stop “market place” on Sunday, that it is all there, producing a busyness that is not conducive to worship. Unfortunately, we have shifted from what once the church stood for, i.e. a place of worship, to a meeting place of all sorts of accommodation to worldly needs. Nowhere in the Bible is one able to find justification to what we see today. In fact, just the opposite is Biblical teaching, as illustrated in 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, where the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit indwells us to explain to us that we, “have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God”. The central element in our Churches ought to be a place where God’s people come, to worship, to fellowship, and to be instructed in Biblical principles, through expository preaching and teaching. This should be the central thrust of the Church, from the pulpit, to the Sunday School classroom, to every program in the Church. Jesus Christ and the Word of God, should be central in every aspect. A clarion call needs to go out to all Bible believing people and Churches, realizing that Satan is desperately trying to dilute and subvert our distinctiveness as the Church of Jesus Christ (Note: Jude 3,4). The basic ministry of the Church, is to instruct the Christian in Biblical truth, to become a mature child of God, so that person may be a personal witness to the people of the world. This is what is directly told to us in Ephesians 4:12-14 , so that as Christians we may use our gifts to minister to others, who are seeking. The Church of Jesus Christ has all the resources it needs, to go into the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:19,20). We have the indwelling Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us; He is greater in us, than is Satan in the world (1 John 4:4); and we can cast all our care on Him, for He constantly cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Every Christian needs the central place of the Church, for Biblical instruction, for fellowship, and the singing together of the great hymns of the faith. That provides the resources to care for the family, to be built up in the truth, and be able to fight the good fight of faith. John H. Stoll, Ph.D. Executive Director, ASK, Inc. This may stand for a dessert you eat, but it may also be an acronym, that serves as understanding for living. The basic truths of the Bible, the bottom line of God’s communication to mankind, is found in these three letters. It is what the Bible is all about. All other information in the Bible is fragmentary, opened ended, and we don’t have the answer to that information. The only reason other information is given is to assist us in understanding PIE. What does this mean, and how does it impact us? The first letter “P”, stands for Principles. The Bible is basically a book of principles, given by God to help us, who are his creation to know how to live, in accordance with his creative design for us. One lives on principles, or a worldview which everyone has, that guides one through life. Jesus said, “I am come that you may have life, and that you may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). By accepting and following Biblical principles, God provides an abundant life for every believer. The second letter “I” stands for Illustrations. God’s principles are illustrated for us, so that we may have understanding as to how to apply them. These are found in the stories of people in the Bible and the experiences through which they went, as God directed their lives. Though the context of their simple lifestyle may differ from our sophisticated world of today, human nature is basically the same, and by replacing the illustrations with a modern day one, the principles remain the same. This should help us know how to apply the principles for our well being and fulfillment. The last letter “E”, stands for Exhortation. Once we read the principle, and understand its application through the illustration, then the Biblical exhortation is up to us, as to applying the principle to our daily living, as children of God. Notice one application of “PIE”. Romans 1:17 states a principle: “The just shall live by faith”. This basic truth of the Bible is expanded and illustrated from Romans 1:18 through 8:38. Then, in Romans 12:1,2 it exhorts the Christian to apply this principle to ones daily living. Another one is found in 2 Cor. 6:17,18 with the exhortation in 2 Cor. 7:1. As we read the Bible, one should always be aware of finding the principle, then seeing how it is applied with understanding, followed by the exhortation to life itself. Since the world is in such a convoluted state of moral and spiritual declension, coupled with fighting on every hand, as well as declining principles and relativism, rather than absolutes, it is incumbent upon Christians to know some basic principles for living in this present wicked world. It is also imperative that these principles be instilled in our children, for their sake (Deuteronomy 11:19; 32:46). 1. Christians are in the world, but not of it (John 17:14,16). Our real “citizenship” is in Heaven, though we are here to let the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ shine through us, to people who are searching for reality and spiritual longing. 2. The whole world’s system is in the hands of the wicked one, but has been condemned by God (1 John 5:19; 2:17; John 12:31). In 1 John 5:19 it literally states, “the whole world lies in the lap of the wicked one”. Satan is the prince of this world today, though someday God will judge him. 3. The Christians mission is not to improve the world, but to save people out of the world (Acts 15:14,17). Though we are to be good citizens, follow the laws, and try to be a positive influence in our community, school, work place, etc., our primary task is to proclaim the truth of the Bible, by example and precept. We are a better testimony through Godly living, than by proclamation, though both are necessary. 4. Though Christians are citizens of our country, we are primary citizens of Heaven. We are just “passing through”. (Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 2:11). Granted, God has placed us here on earth, to be good stewards of life, to proclaim His righteousness, and though we do have earthly responsibilities, they are only for a few years. Our eternity will be with the Lord Jesus Christ, and this life is just a preparation for eternity. . 5. As spiritual soldiers of the Lord, one should not be entangled with the affairs of this world (2 Timothy 2:4). It is so easy to be encumbered with everyday affairs, materialism, work, etc. that we give little time to eternal things, such as Bible reading, prayer, fellowship with Christians, etc. Christian need to examine their priorities, which should be: God first, family second, and all else third. 6. As Ambassadors for the Lord, we should represent the TRUTH to the world (John 18:36; 2 Corinthians 5:20). There is so much lying, deception, cheating, etc. today, that it seems as if nothing can be trusted. Therefore, it is essential that Christians be truth bearers in every aspect of life. The two New Testament books of 2nd and 3rd John bear witness to this. 7. Politics tends to become corrupt by its very nature. Christians should be careful of the corrupting influence of worldly politics, should they seek to enter (2 Corinthians 6:17,18 and 7:1). This does not mean that Christians should not enter politics; it means they should aware of worldly deception, that is all pervasive in it. Certainly our country could use more Christians in this arena of life, as well as in education, journalism, etc., as an influence for good. Since the Bible is God’s “handbook” to the world, and especially to the Christian, it behooves us all to pay greater attention to what God is saying to us, that with knowledge we might understand His will for our lives. As we do, and have choices to make in life, we have the right and privilege to ask Him for divine wisdom, to know how to apply these principles to our daily living. Three excellent principles are found in :1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 4:16; and James 1:5.
IT WILL BE SOON John H. Stoll, Ph.D. Executive Director, ASK, Inc. Soon, we will enter into an unknown new year. As we reflect back over the past year, as well as previous years, it is evident that we live in perilous times (2 Tim. 3:1), and it is highly probable that things will not get better, only worse. As we greet others with, “Happy New Year”, it seems to have a hollow ring to it, given what the world has experienced in recent past years. However, for the Christian there is an assured hope that God is sovereign (Ps. 103:19), and that someday Jesus Christ will reign over all the world in truth and in righteousness (Zech. 8:8; 14:9). This is the “Blessed hope” that all of God’s children enjoy, in the midst of a wicked world, and that brings daily peace. Two thousand years ago, the Bible prophesied very accurately and specifically, events that would come to pass, just before Jesus Christ would return to take Christians home to Heaven. Every one of these events are in evidence in our world today. The last two major prophecies foretold were the formation of Israel in 1948 and the retaking of Jerusalem in 1967. Jesus noted in Matthew 24 that, the generation that sees these events come to pass, will not pass until all these prophecies be fulfilled, and Christ would reign over all the world. He spoke of great Tribulation that would engulf the world, with the Antichrist trying to eliminate God’s people, Israel. World leaders are threatening to do that today. Jesus said of the cataclysmic events we see almost daily that, “These are the birth pangs of sorrows” (Matt. 24:9). The “birth pains” of the world today, are about a minute apart, for we live from catastrophe to catastrophe. All these things portend Christ’s soon return. Whether Jesus Christ comes for the Christians before or after the next great event, of which the Bible speaks, is not clear. That event will be the battle of Gog and Magog (Ezek. 38,39). This will be the time when a confederation of Arab nations from the near East (spoken of in scripture as the “kings of the North”, though in Biblical times the North really meant the East) descend upon the nation of Israel to destroy it. God said he would destroy five sixths of that confederation (Ezek. 39:2). This will leave a power vacuum in the middle east, which then will probably be filled with the Antichrist, who comes from the European union, and will make a treaty with Israel for seven years (Daniel 9:26,27). He will honor it for three and one half years, then he will break it, and bitterly persecute Israel. Since Israel and Jerusalem is the “stone in the world’s shoe” (Zech. 12:2,3), this treaty will bring peace to the area, and all the world will exalt the Antichrist and follow after him. His treaty with Israel, is not out of love for that nation, but out of expediency, until he consolidates his power over the world, then he will break it, and for three and one half years, he will persecute Israel (Daniel 11:36-45; Matt. 24:15-22). It will be at the end of this period that Jesus Christ will come to earth in what is called, “the battle of Armageddon” (Zech. 14:1-9; Matt. 24:27-31; Rev. 16:16; 19:11-21). Christ’s coming in power and glory, will destroy the armies of the Antichrist, and bring eternal peace to the world (Isa. 32:17; Zech. 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:24-28). The world will then, and only then, have eternal peace, which everyone desires, but today is so elusive, because of the wickedness that is all pervasive (1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-7). The world longs for peace, but will not have it, until the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ, sets up his kingdom, which will last forever (Rev. 22:1-7). His kingdom will prevail, because it is based on truth and righteousness (Zech. 8:8). Handel’s Messiah states it so well, when he wrote, “And He shall reign forever and ever”. And, every Christian is able to say with the Apostle John, “He which testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly, Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20). With this truth, one is able to enter into the new year, with peace, joy, and contentment. |