Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts

Sunday, 4 February 2024

Science vs. God's Truth

Scientist’s Truth vs. God’s Truth

The Purpose to Teach the Truth -

“...and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil,

having been taken captive by him to do his will,”

2 Timothy 2:26 NKJV

Author’s note:

This commentary is one of hundreds of commentaries found in a Google search. This article is directed solely towards the church’s denominations, not The Church as a whole.” The Church is a body of true believers in Christ, baptized by one Spirit to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, enslaved person or free (1 Cor 12:12-14) scattered all over the world, members of a local church or part of a home group. Do you seek the truth? The CHURCH does not seek division but unity within the body.

“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ,” Eph 4:2-3, 13.

Imagine a Church where everyone works towards the same goal and unity is valued above all else. This is the Church we should strive for, and it’s a Church that only abides in Christ’s word. Let’s choose unity over division and work together to improve the churches and produce fruit. You know them by their gentle and patient instruction (2 Tim 2:24).

"Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God," 1 Cor 4:5

Muses, The god of Science vs. God’s Truth.

“Trust the science,” the most misused and abused rhetoric exploited by politicians, NASA, the World Health Organization, and, believe it or not, some Christian ministries.

What is Truth?

Again, as explained, this message is intended explicitly for Christian organizations. This commentary is a follow-up to an article I wrote in 2016 titled “The Love of The Truth.” You may view it from this link: https://www.simplicityinthegospel.com/2016/04/the-love-of-truth.html

What makes humanism and Christianity apart from each other? The answer: The truth.

"Sanctify[a] them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth," John 17:17-19 NKJV.
[a] set apart as or declared holy

If we believe that the inerrancy of God’s word is true, why do expert theologists insist on proving that God is the Creator of all things through science? Why try to prove the Bible is true through scientific evidence? Who are we trying to convince? The Gentiles or our unbelief? Are we not compromising so that the Gentiles may accept us? Are we ashamed or embarrassed to admit the validity of God’s word without scientific evidence? After all, didn’t God promise to give understanding in all things to Christians as He did to Timothy (2 Tim 2:7, Jn 14:26)?

Besides, doesn’t the Charter of Rights and Freedom protect our religious beliefs and not the other way around, protecting scientific evidence?

Many firm believers quote (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work," NKJV

What is the intent? “That we may be complete” and “to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you (us) may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:19)?

‘Us,’ this generation, has the blessing and privilege of holding in our hands the written testimonies of God-appointed men from the time of the creation of the heavens and the earth until now.

All preachers say, “Do not take my word but the words found in the Bible.”

In John 8:31-32, the New King James Version states,

"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Was this truth limited to only one truth? The truth is undeniable: those who believed in Jesus as the Messiah were, without a doubt, Jewish. They declared Jesus the Messiah and acknowledged it as fact according to prophecy. Jesus will reveal more truth if they continue to abide in Him. In this context, it’s an agreement to be taught by Jesus, abiding in Him, and becoming His disciples. To be a true disciple is to accept that the Word is God (John 1:1).

To abide in Him, we must also have fellowship with Him and one another.

"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin," 1 John 1:5-7, NKJV.

Does walking in darkness refer to walking without the truth? Humanism promotes charity, kindness, and goodness towards others without regard for divine truth. Doesn’t Paul describe humanism as self-seeking and not obeying the truth but unrighteousness (Rom 2:8)? The humanist does not recognize God as the Creator and provider of all good things, that God gives life and all that surrounds him. Ungrateful (2 Tim 3:2), although God continues to bless them with His grace and mercy (Luke 6:35).

Back to John’s moving statement, “we lie and do not practice the truth.” Do we take this statement seriously? It should stir up the fear of God (Proverbs 2:5) if we say that we walk in the light when we walk in darkness (without the truth). Could it be the reason why Christians are divided and have no fellowship with one another? Accusing of heresy anyone whose belief is contrary to their own. Didn’t Jesus’s blood deliver us (all of us) from the power of darkness and convey (translated) us into the kingdom of the Son of His love (the truth, Col 1:13)?

The Parable of the Soil (Matt 13:1) describes four locations where the seed failed: by the wayside, upon the stony place, among the thorns, into the good grown. Only one location produced good fruits. It was among believers, represented by the good grown. What do we conclude from this? The churches consist of believers and unbelievers, the tares among the wheat (Matthew 13:24). They speak like Christians, appear at church service like Christians, and act like Christians but don’t bear fruits like Christians. Who are they? Are they not workers of iniquity who do wrong?

What does Jesus say to them on the day of judgment?

"But He will say, I tell you, I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity," Luke 13:27 NKJV

Does Jesus reject those who don’t accept the truth and don’t try to understand God’s words? These Scriptures come to mind:

"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned," 1 Cor 2:14 NKJV.

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God," 1 Cor 2:12 NKJV.

Are there some people in the churches who still need to receive the Holy Spirit? Aren’t we all saved? Do we have the love of the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? The Bible is God’s gift to every believer: the poor, the needy, the rich, the smart and not too bright. Therefore, knowledge is not limited to scholars. We all are responsible for being connected to the vine to produce fruit. God has appointed some teachers (Eph 4:11, 1 Cor 12:28), who have a tremendous responsibility. In the Book of Eccl, 12:9-12 describes the whole duty of a teacher.

"And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books, there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh."

In John 18:38, Pilate said to Him (Jesus), “What is truth?” I sought the truth all my Christian life. I wrote many articles in my blog sharing what I needed to learn. But when I came to new evidence that proved me wrong, I quickly accepted my wrong understanding and deleted or rewrote my articles. I was born in the lie (darkness of the Catholic tradition). I understood that my journey in abiding in Christ would be extended. It is part of God’s sanctification period of growth. I started to read my first Bible at the age of twenty. It was eye-opening. Even though I didn’t understand any of it or very little of it, the Holy Spirit stirred up the desire to learn. And learning I did. “The hardest part for me was to convey my passion for my discoveries to another person.” It was rare. Being part of a trustworthy community of believers who share knowledge through Bible study and fellowship is a true blessing.

My statement of belief is the whole Bible.

"Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old," Matt 13:52.

I wrote an article titled “My Statement of Belief—The Whole Bible” in June 2013. I invite you to read it.

https://www.simplicityinthegospel.com/2013/06/my-statement-of-belief-whole-bible.html

God’s treasures are to be found and shared. I do not claim to be a know-it-all. I am a student who loves to share what I’ve learned. I teach what I need to understand the most. I have written things contrary to reputable theologians, yet I agree with so much more than I can't entirely agree. Sometimes, when I make an assumption or an opinion, that is what it is an opinion, not asserting my opinion as God’s truth.

Sharing what I have learned fulfills God’s will. The goal is to help each other grow stronger in faith and knowledge. We are to do this until Jesus returns.

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ," Eph 4:11-13.

“till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.” Are we there yet? In the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God?

I’ve worked with big high-tech companies such as Nortel Network. One requirement for employment is to agree with their Standard Operating Procedure. Nortel Networks provides a comprehensive manual in physical (non-digital) format. From Wikipedia: A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations. SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality output, and uniformity of performance while reducing miscommunication and failure to comply with industry regulations. It took me two days to go through it. Ultimately, I signed off, testifying that I had read and agreed to the rules.

“And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules,” 2 Tim 2:5 NKJV.

The Bible is the Standard Operating Procedure of God’s Kingdom and is unique in its structure. By acknowledging Jesus’s blood as payment for our sins, confessing Jesus as Lord, and believing with all our hearts that God has resurrected Him (Rom 10:9), we agree to the terms and conditions that the Scripture is God’s inspiring word`. If you don’t believe, you are still in darkness and do not abide in Him. I will never understand it all, but the first step is to agree wholeheartedly, even if we do not understand. That is faith. As we start working for a new employer, we agree with the terms and conditions, or our career will be short-lived, and so it is if we do not abide in Christ. We produce no fruit. “We can only produce fruit by applying faith.”

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad,” 2 Cor 5:10 NASB 1995.

"Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith," Habakkuk 2:4 NKJV.

I understand the context is about producing fruit as we faithfully await God's promise according to prophecy. What about Christians who work applying the law? Galatians 3:10-12.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” But that the law justifies no one in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

Observing the law will not bring salvation; only the work of Christ on the cross does. What about the law of science? Is it sufficient to dismiss God’s word since it does not scientifically provide evidence? Are we Christian cherry-picking? The Bible shows miracles, phenomena that are unexplained scientifically. Are we ashamed to declare God’s miracles (blessings) without proof? Are these miracles only for children’s fairy tale stories?

How, as Christians, can we expose the lies if we reject the truth?

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them," Eph 5:11 NKJV

Some churches are vulnerable due to their perspective; one foot is in the light, and one is in the darkness. We are deceiving ourselves because some churches have both feet in darkness. Some have partially received the truth because of supported scientific evidence; they are deceived and likely to be corrected. Why? They keep teaching a lie even after the truth is revealed to them. Why? Because they reject God’s supremacy over all things by believing in man’s science instead.

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honourable man in the eyes of his master, but Naaman was a leper (in darkness). Naaman became furious when the prophet told him to go and wash in the Jordan seven times. There are great teachers and Pastors, great men of God who are quick to reject the truth and some to accuse others of being a heretic if their beliefs are different. How many attempts are required to bring someone to their senses to believe a truth shared by a loving and caring fellow Christian? Seven times?

Can we trust science to teach us the origin of creation?

“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day,” Psalm 25:5 KLV.

"Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord," Jeremiah 17:5 KJV.

I sometimes read the context with a different Bible version. I often use the easy-to-read version to clarify KJV.

"This is what the Lord says: Bad things will happen to those who put their trust in people. Bad things will happen to those who depend on human strength. That is because they have stopped trusting the Lord."

What part of the Bible do you find it hard to believe? Did Jesus change water to wine or grape juice? Did the Red Sea open up to let the Israelites cross to the other side? Is Jesus the Son of God? Is the Holy Spirit God? Does the dispensation of grace mean to forgo the Old Testament? Does the Church replace the role of modern-day Israel? Is there more than one resurrection? Did God create the heavens and the earth with all living creatures on the earth, in the sea, and in the sky precisely in six days? Is the sun, the moon, and the stars located between the water below and the water above, as described in Genesis 1:6, 14? Is the concept of the rapture a human invention? Is the KJV the only reliable version to be trusted? If you answer any of those questions with ‘I don’t know”, you are honest. There is hope for you. What makes the Bible so difficult to accept as truth?

Our perception. It often leads us to prefer falsehoods, obscurity, and relinquishing the truth.” Another possibility is: what lie are we afraid to question and let go of?

Any other gospel?

"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed," Gal 1:6-9.

There are many other gospels, all counterfeit. There is only one true gospel. It is found in these simple verses;

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God," Eph 2:8, NKJV

"Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures," 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 NKJV

Photo by JeremyBishop from Freerange Stock

Have we not been delivered from the power of darkness (lies) and conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Col 1:13)? We live in Satan’s kingdom era, and his kingdom is short-lived and will soon end at Christ’s return (Isaiah 65:17). Until then, as part of our sanctification, preparing us for our role in God's kingdom, we seek knowledge and wisdom to walk according to the Bible’s Standard Operating Procedure of God’s Kingdom.

The first four books of Proverbs describe the purpose of studying God’s word.

1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity;
4 To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man, knowledge and discretion—
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

Aren’t Christians dedicated to uncovering the truth, no matter the cost, whether it is scientifically lacking evidence? With a deep passion for justice and a fearless pursuit of truth, aren’t we a beacon of hope in a world that often values deception over honesty?

After all, God intends that we may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col1:9 NKJV). And attain all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and Christ (Col 2:2 NKJV).

"Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things," 2 Tim 2:7 NKJV.

The Bible is the only resource that preserves history. However, there are many attempts to destroy the truth for the sole purpose of hiding God as the Creator and, therefore, its legitimacy.

Therefore, where do we begin to accept God’s word as truth? God created the heavens and the earth from the beginning.

The beginning of true knowledge started in the Book of Genesis. God is the Creator of time and all things, acts of miracles before the law of science and nature. It describes the Supremacy of God, the Creator (Deut 3:24). After all, God is the Possessor of heaven and earth (Genesis 14:19). If we drift from recognizing the valid account of when and how God created the heavens and the earth, we fall prey to lies and deceptions, (Romans 1:25).

"Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished," Genesis 2:1

"This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens," Genesis 2:4

"For ask now concerning the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether any great thing like this has happened, or anything like it has been heard," Deut 4:32

How important is it to remember the account of the origin of the creation? It is so vital that God reminded the Jews every time they forsake His laws and precepts to commit adultery (Exodus 20:4). Exodus 20:11, Eccl 12:1, Isaiah 40:28, Isaiah 42:5, Isaiah 43:15, Isaiah 45:8, Isaiah 45:12, Isaiah 45:18, Colossians 1:16, Revelation 10:6.

“Should Christians also be reminded?”

Are we wiser (smarter) than God by trusting science over His word? In the Book of Job, The Lord Reveals His Omnipotence to Job. I suggest that Christians read Chapters 38, 39, 40, and 41. In short, were we there when God created the heavens and the earth? Where was NASA when God created it?

God immediately started with a rebuke. "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?" Job 38:2.

Easy-to-Read Version

"Who is this ignorant person saying these foolish things?

God had listened to the conversation between Job and his four companions and had enough of its foolishness. Where did God start His argument? That is right, from the beginning of the creation. Do you see the importance of it?

Verse 4: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,” NKJV.

Where was NASA when God created it? Can NASA explain the miracle of creation? Many Christians tend to label the miracles of the creation as nonsense simply because they feel uneasy about the truth, which defers from scientific evidence. Aren’t we quick to rely on science?

Are you ready to accept the truth over science?

The truth will make you free (John 8:32). Using scientific rhetoric alone cannot free us from the lies and deception of Satan. Hearsay is not God’s word. Cultural and traditional beliefs are not God’s word. Human common sense is not God’s word. Feeling and intuition are not God’s word. Even your eyes will deceive. It is called an optical illusion. As for the Christian establishment, they cannot even agree with one another. Only a few can provide the guidance and support that we seek. They are men of faith who fear the wrath of God. Everyone will be accountable once God’s truth is revealed, and reject it or refuse to share it because fearing man’s opinion.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them,”

Rom 1:18-19 KJV.

Admit it: We live in an ocean of lies needing a lifeguard. The Word is our lifeguard. The Word alone is not enough; faith is required.

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God," Romans 10:17 (not by scientific evidences)

Do not despair. No one has the whole truth. Yet, seek it and look for those who also love the truth. Keep asking, seeking, and knocking. Share your passion for truth in love and avoid disputes.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened," Matthew 7:7-8.

I hope that this article encourages you to trust God’s word. If you have any doubt, trust the Word.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding," Pro 3:5

You are not alone.

There is more than believing - by faith, we must accept God’s historical description of His creation.

Here is an example of a church’s statement of belief about creation:

We believe in the Genesis account of creation and that it is to be accepted as literally – not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly by God and specifically in His own image and after His own likeness; that man's creation was neither a matter of evolution or evolutionary changing from one species to another, nor was it a development or growth through years or time from lesser to higher forms; and that all animal and vegetable life was made by God with a mandate to produce or bring forth only “after their kind” whose “seed was in itself”. (*Genesis 1-3; Col.1:15; Heb.1:1,2; 1 Tim.4:3-5)

What about the blue sky above? Is it not water as described in Genesis 1:6, 14.