7 Questions for the Church. Question 1 If there was an issue that effected our view of the nature of...

7 Questions for the Church7 Questions for the Church

Question 1Question 1

If there was an issue that effected our view of the nature of God, would this be important enough to discuss?

If there was an issue that effected our view of the nature of God, would this be important enough to discuss?

Nine characteristics about GodNine characteristics about God

The Character of GodThe Character of God1. He is all powerful – only He can create out

of nothing! (Gen 1:1, Jeremiah 32:17)

2. He is a God of order

3. He is transcendent (God transcends or rises above His creation. He is not part of it.)

4. He is the sovereign (absolute) ruler of His creation (Gen 1:1, Col 1:17)

1. He is all powerful – only He can create out of nothing! (Gen 1:1, Jeremiah 32:17)

2. He is a God of order

3. He is transcendent (God transcends or rises above His creation. He is not part of it.)

4. He is the sovereign (absolute) ruler of His creation (Gen 1:1, Col 1:17)

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. (Isaiah 44:6)

The Character of GodThe Character of God

6. All other gods are false gods

7. He is a perfect God (Gen 1:31)

6. All other gods are false gods

7. He is a perfect God (Gen 1:31)

Deut 32:4 (He is the Rock, his work is perfect)Deut 32:4 (He is the Rock, his work is perfect)

2 Samuel 22:31 (As for God, his way is perfect).2 Samuel 22:31 (As for God, his way is perfect).

5. He has a special interest in mankind 5. He has a special interest in mankind

The Character of GodThe Character of God

9. He is a God of judgment (Genesis 6-9)9. He is a God of judgment (Genesis 6-9)

In the first chapters of Genesis we discover 9 characteristics about our Creator.If we do not believe Genesis is real history, where do we find out about our Creator?

In the first chapters of Genesis we discover 9 characteristics about our Creator.If we do not believe Genesis is real history, where do we find out about our Creator?

8. He is a God of mercy and grace (Gen 3)8. He is a God of mercy and grace (Gen 3)


If there was an issue that was a central theme in the Bible, would this be important enough to discuss?

If there was an issue that was a central theme in the Bible, would this be important enough to discuss?

Genesis 1 & 2 Exodus 20:11 Deut 4:32 Nehemiah 9:6 Job 38:4 Psalm 100:3 Psalm 104:30 Eccl 12:1 Isaiah 40:28 Isaiah 45:18 Jeremiah 32:17 Amos 4:13 Jonah 1:9 Malachi 2:10

Genesis 1 & 2 Exodus 20:11 Deut 4:32 Nehemiah 9:6 Job 38:4 Psalm 100:3 Psalm 104:30 Eccl 12:1 Isaiah 40:28 Isaiah 45:18 Jeremiah 32:17 Amos 4:13 Jonah 1:9 Malachi 2:10

Matthew 19:4 Mark 10:6 Mark 13:19 John 1:1-3 Acts 4:24 Romans 1:19-20 1 Corinthians 8:6 Ephesians 3:9 Colossians 1:16-17 1 Timothy 4:3 Hebrews 11:3 1 Peter 4:19 2 Peter 3:4-5 Revelation 4:11

Matthew 19:4 Mark 10:6 Mark 13:19 John 1:1-3 Acts 4:24 Romans 1:19-20 1 Corinthians 8:6 Ephesians 3:9 Colossians 1:16-17 1 Timothy 4:3 Hebrews 11:3 1 Peter 4:19 2 Peter 3:4-5 Revelation 4:11

The Theme of CreationThe Theme of Creation


If there was an issue that effected many of our youth’s relationship to Christ and the church, would this be important enough to discuss?

If there was an issue that effected many of our youth’s relationship to Christ and the church, would this be important enough to discuss?

The Next GenerationThe Next Generation

One of the main reasons our youth are leaving the church is that they cannot

defend a belief in the Bible

One of the main reasons our youth are leaving the church is that they cannot

defend a belief in the Bible

The Barna Group, “The Barna Update”, www.barna.orgThe Barna Group, “The Barna Update”, www.barna.org

An educational study

“We are losing our children”70% of teens stop attending church

An educational study

“We are losing our children”70% of teens stop attending church


If there was an issue that was foundational to the Gospel, would this be important enough to discuss?

If there was an issue that was foundational to the Gospel, would this be important enough to discuss?

Genesis and the GospelGenesis and the Gospel

No perfect creation (Gen 1:31)No perfect creation (Gen 1:31)

What did the curse do?

Death before sin

God is the author of death

What will God restore everything to?

When does the Bible become real?

What did the curse do?

Death before sin

God is the author of death

What will God restore everything to?



No literal Adam and EveNo literal Adam and Eve

Who is the last Adam?


Who is the last Adam?



No Literal FallNo Literal Fall

Why do we need the Gospel?


Why do we need the Gospel?



Days become long agesDays become long ages

Death and suffering before sin

Order of creation events changes

Local Flood

Jesus is confused (Mark 10:6)


Death and suffering before sin

Order of creation events changes

Local Flood

Jesus is confused (Mark 10:6)


The Cross Without CreationThe Cross Without Creation

continued

“And the creationists have also shown irrefutably that those liberal and neo-orthodox Christians who regard the creation stories as myths or allegories are undermining the rest of Scripture,

“And the creationists have also shown irrefutably that those liberal and neo-orthodox Christians who regard the creation stories as myths or allegories are undermining the rest of Scripture,

Evolution thus becomes the most potent weapon for destroying the Christian faith.”Evolution thus becomes the most potent weapon for destroying the Christian faith.”

Mattill, A. J., Jr., “Three Cheers for the Creationists,” Free Inquiry, vol. 2 (Spring 1982).Mattill, A. J., Jr., “Three Cheers for the Creationists,” Free Inquiry, vol. 2 (Spring 1982).

for if there was no Adam, there was no fall; and if there was no fall there was no hell; and if there was no hell, there was no need of Jesus as Second Adam and Incarnate Savior, crucified and risen. As a result, the whole biblical system of salvation collapses. . .

for if there was no Adam, there was no fall; and if there was no fall there was no hell; and if there was no hell, there was no need of Jesus as Second Adam and Incarnate Savior, crucified and risen. As a result, the whole biblical system of salvation collapses. . .

The Cross Without CreationThe Cross Without Creation

“Christianity has fought, still fights, and will fight science to the desperate end over evolution, because evolution destroys utterly and finally the very reason Jesus' earthly life was supposedly made necessary. Destroy Adam and Eve and the original sin, and in the rubble you will find the sorry remains of the son of god.

“Christianity has fought, still fights, and will fight science to the desperate end over evolution, because evolution destroys utterly and finally the very reason Jesus' earthly life was supposedly made necessary. Destroy Adam and Eve and the original sin, and in the rubble you will find the sorry remains of the son of god.

continued

Take away the meaning of his death. If Jesus was not the redeemer that died for our sins, and this is what evolution means, then Christianity is nothing."

Take away the meaning of his death. If Jesus was not the redeemer that died for our sins, and this is what evolution means, then Christianity is nothing."

G. Richard Bozarth, "The Meaning of Evolution", American Atheist, Sept. 20, 1979, p. 30.G. Richard Bozarth, "The Meaning of Evolution", American Atheist, Sept. 20, 1979, p. 30.

Importance of a FoundationImportance of a Foundation

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Psalm 11:3

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Psalm 11:3

If we don’t have a literal history then Christianity is no different than any other

false religion. The Gospel is based on something that never really happened.

If we don’t have a literal history then Christianity is no different than any other

false religion. The Gospel is based on something that never really happened.


If there was an issue that was foundational to understanding marriage and moral standards would this be important enough to discuss?

If there was an issue that was foundational to understanding marriage and moral standards would this be important enough to discuss?

GenesisGenesisFoundationFoundation

Sin

Death

Marriage

Doctrines

GospelIf Genesis is not real history how can we defend the Gospel?

If Genesis is not real history how can we defend the Gospel?


If there was an issue that effected our ability to witness to non-Christians would this be important to discuss?

If there was an issue that effected our ability to witness to non-Christians would this be important to discuss?

Our WitnessOur Witness

“People are desperate for spiritual truth – but they can’t find the answer they need in Christian churches. Studies we have conducted over the past year indicate that a majority of the people who made a first-time ‘decision’ for Christ were no longer connected to a Christian church within just eight weeks of having made such a decision!”

“People are desperate for spiritual truth – but they can’t find the answer they need in Christian churches. Studies we have conducted over the past year indicate that a majority of the people who made a first-time ‘decision’ for Christ were no longer connected to a Christian church within just eight weeks of having made such a decision!”

George Barna, “The Second Coming of the Church: A Blueprint for Survival,” Nashville: Word, 1998, p 2. George Barna, “The Second Coming of the Church: A Blueprint for Survival,” Nashville: Word, 1998, p 2.

Q 876a

Question 7Question 7Is the authority of Scripture important? Is it more important than what the world views as important and true?

Is the authority of Scripture important? Is it more important than what the world views as important and true?

What is our starting pointWhat is our starting point

The Bible (God’s Word)

The Bible (God’s Word) Man’s WisdomMan’s Wisdom

Scripture and CommandsScripture and Commands

2 Cor 10:4-5 – Strongholds 1 Peter 3:15 – A ready answer

2 Cor 10:4-5 – Strongholds 1 Peter 3:15 – A ready answer

2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture 2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture

Deuteronomy 4:2 – Do not add or subtract Revelation 22:18-19 – Do not add or subtract

Deuteronomy 4:2 – Do not add or subtract Revelation 22:18-19 – Do not add or subtract

7 Questions7 Questions1. Nature of God2. Central theme3. Youth relationship to Jesus4. Foundation for the Gospel5. Foundation for marriage6. Ability to witness7. Authority of Scripture

1. Nature of God2. Central theme3. Youth relationship to Jesus4. Foundation for the Gospel5. Foundation for marriage6. Ability to witness7. Authority of Scripture

Genesis is the foundationGenesis is the foundation

Are these important?Are these important?

7 Questions7 Questions1. Nature of God2. Central theme3. Youth relationship to Jesus4. Foundation for the Gospel5. Foundation for marriage6. Ability to witness7. Authority of Scripture

1. Nature of God2. Central theme3. Youth relationship to Jesus4. Foundation for the Gospel5. Foundation for marriage6. Ability to witness7. Authority of Scripture

Why do churches ignore or

compromise?

Why do churches ignore or

compromise?

Lack of knowledge, not interested, andLack of knowledge, not interested, and

But Man’s Wisdom Says…But Man’s Wisdom Says…

A new godA new god

James 4:4Friendship with the world

is enmity with God

James 4:4Friendship with the world

is enmity with God

The Old DefinitionThe Old Definition

“Knowledge as of facts, phenomena, laws and proximate causes gained and verified by exact observation, organized experiment and correct thinking.”

Funk and Wagnalls Standard Dictionary, 1962, p.1127.

“Knowledge as of facts, phenomena, laws and proximate causes gained and verified by exact observation, organized experiment and correct thinking.”

Funk and Wagnalls Standard Dictionary, 1962, p.1127.

The search for truthThe search for truth

The New DefinitionThe New Definition

“Any systematic field of study or body of knowledge that aims, through experiment, observation, and deduction, to produce reliable explanations or phenomena with

“Any systematic field of study or body of knowledge that aims, through experiment, observation, and deduction, to produce reliable explanations or phenomena with

Based on MaterialismBased on Materialism

Materialism, Naturalism, Humanism

The Hutchinson Dictionary of Science, 1999, p. 566.The Hutchinson Dictionary of Science, 1999, p. 566.

reference to the material and physical world”reference to the material and physical world”

MaterialismMaterialism

“The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be.”

Carl Sagan, Cosmos, 1980, p. 4.

“The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be.”

Carl Sagan, Cosmos, 1980, p. 4.

What About Science?What About Science?

CompromiseCompromise

“Although in the past science did not seem to bear out Genesis 1:1, at the present time it does so very closely – just so long as we are willing to accept a longer-than-twenty-four-hour interpretation for the creative days.”

“Although in the past science did not seem to bear out Genesis 1:1, at the present time it does so very closely – just so long as we are willing to accept a longer-than-twenty-four-hour interpretation for the creative days.”

Don Stoner, A New Look At An Old Earth, 1992, p. 109.Don Stoner, A New Look At An Old Earth, 1992, p. 109.

When did people first not believe the Word of God?When did people first not believe the Word of God?

The ThreeThe Three

It all begins in Genesis

It all begins in Genesis

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die

Genesis 3:4

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die

Genesis 3:4

DeceptionDeception

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise…

Gen 3:6

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise…

Gen 3:6

DoubtDoubt

She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat Gen 3:6

She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat Gen 3:6

DenialDenial

DeceptionDeception

Did God really mean 6 literal days? Did God really mean 6 literal days?

For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and HE rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Exodus 20:11

For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and HE rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Exodus 20:11

DoubtDoubt

Haven’t scientists proven the earth is billions of years old?Haven’t scientists proven the earth is billions of years old?

Can’t the word ‘day’ can have many different meanings?Can’t the word ‘day’ can have many different meanings?

DenialDenial

Young earth creationists ignore the facts of scienceYoung earth creationists ignore the facts of science

God used evolutionGod used evolution

The age of the earth is not an important issueThe age of the earth is not an important issue

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