D. Michael Paxton Supporter IT at Moody Publishers, MDiv Student at Moody Theo. Seminary

So, you present two distinct concerns:

1) The Bible seems to contain (I presume scientific) impossibilities; and
2) The Bible seems to contain some similarities to previous religions.

Let us take each of these independently.

First, how does one follow the Bible when it seems to contain some scientific impossibilities?

This could pose an obstacle to belief if one views God as bound to or restricted by what we call "natural laws". However, if God were so bound, how could He be God? In the first sentence of the Bible, we learn that "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This tells us two things about God. First, He existed before "the beginning", meaning before time or space had existence. Second, this tells us that God exercises power over creation. He is not bound by natural laws - He created them in the first place. In one of the earliest books, God asks Job, "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth... or enclosed the sea with doors when, bursting forth, it went out from the womb;... I made a cloud its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band,... I placed boundaries on it and... I said, 'Thus far you shall come, but no farther... here shall your proud waves stop'?" (Job 38:1-11) King David reminds us that "The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers." (Psa 24:1-2) King Solomon, personifying Wisdom in the Proverbs, tells us that Wisdom was present with the Lord when "He established the heavens,... inscribed a circle on... the deep,... made firm the skies above,... set for the sea a boundary so that the water would not transgress His command, [and] marked out the foundations of the earth." (Prov 8:22-29)

Creation obeys God, not the other way around. Natural laws exist to provide order and security to our existence. So when we read of God doing things beyond the "natural laws" - essentially outside the bounds of science as we understand them - it shows us who God is, the Almighty God, awesome in power. This is not simply for God to put on a show, but to provide us with a sense of comfort that we can trust Him in caring for us, because nothing is outside of His power to control. Creation - and God's power over it - reveals the nature of God to us. The Apostle Paul reminds us "that which is known about God is evident... since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made." (Rom 1:19-20)

Where God's word describes impossibilities, it reveals the power of our God, "for nothing will be impossible with God." Lk 1:37

Next, you wonder how does one follow the Bible when it seems to contain some similarities to previous religions?

Letting Scripture explain itself, we first must keep in mind that all humankind descends from Noah and his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. As they spread out across the earth, the took with them their common origin stories. However, very quickly they forgot - or ignored - who God is. (See Gen 11) This was because, despite God destroying the rampantly wicked from the earth, the Flood did not change Man's essential nature - that of wanting to determine his own destiny instead of living to honour his Creator. Again, the Holy Spirit of God, speaking through the Apostle Paul, puts it best, "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks,... and their foolish heart was darkened. [T]hey... exchanged the glory of... God for an image... of corruptible... creatures.... [T]hey exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator...." (Rom 1:21-25)

Though there are similarities, the one claim that no other religion makes is that God humbled and sacrificed Himself to have a loving relationship with His creation.

Peace to you as you seek Him.

December 21 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

The confusion comes form those who believe and teach that the entire Bible was written to them, failing to understand that they are not a part of God's covenant program with Israel. The place we find our gospel for today is from that of the apostle Paul (Romans through Philemon), as true Christianity is not of religious methods, but of faith.

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah" (Jer 31:31, Heb 8:8). Note that the new covenant is for the house of Israel, and the house of Judah, not you or I.

Israel's new covenant will be established when Christ returns for His millennial reign on Earth (Rev 20:4-6). We today live under God's "dispensation of grace" (Eph 3:2), not covenant. Many confuse the bible's "New Testament" as being the new covenant, but God's new covenant remains prophetic as it has not yet been established or even meant for believers today, who are members of the church, the body of Christ (Col 1:24, Eph 5:23), who will be "caught away" prior to the wrath of God arriving (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

We have something much greater than a covenant as we are not under law, but God's grace (Rom 6:14). Our salvation simply requires faith in what Jesus Christ completed on the cross on our behalf (Rom 3:28, 1 Cor 1:23). Christ paid for all of our sins (Rom 3:28, 1 Cor 15:3, Gal 2:20, Col 2:13, 2 Cor 5:19), and was buried, but rose again for our justification (2 Cor 1:9, Rom 4:25). It is the free gift of God made possible by His grace (Rom 5:18), and our belief is acceptance of His free gift (Eph 2:8. Eph 1:13).

"Rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15), the gospel of our salvation (Eph 1:13), is to separate the gospel given to Paul from the gospels given to Messianic Hebrews when studying the bible. Jesus' message while living and that of the 12 apostles was to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, not us (Mat 10:5-6, Mat 15:24). Our doctrine is found in Paul's epistles (Rom 3:21).

Biblical Israel was required to do works for God in 'times past' (Rom 11:6, James 2:24). Works today, with the belief that it is to obtain or maintain salvation, actually puts us into debt with God as this shows lack of faith in what Christ's death, burial, and resurrection means for us (Rom 4:4). True believers don't work in order to be saved, they work because they are saved (Eph 2:10, Eph 4:12). They desire to work for God once they realize what Christ did for them.

What does it mean to have faith alone in Christ alone?

Let's say we're back in school and are presented with one final exam required for graduation. It is a most difficult exam, and a score of 100% is required in order to pass. The teacher is VERY gracious however, and states that we can take the test on our own, or we can accept the grade of someone else in the classroom of our choosing. I decide to accept the results of someone in the classroom whom I believe is smarter than me. I have faith that he will pass the exam on my behalf. I submit that I am not capable of passing the test on my own. I fully understand that if he fails, I will not pass, because there is nothing I can do that will assist him with his performance on the test. There's no going back once I have chosen him as my test taker, because the teacher states that any attempt made by me to assist him will cause an automatic failure. It is his perfect performance that matters now and nothing of myself.

Just as the teacher is in the above analogy, God is so gracious to us by offering His free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on the cross on our behalf. He passed our test for us! There is nothing throughout our entire lives that we can do or could have done that would add to Christ's finished work for us. Belief in His death for the forgiveness of our sins, burial, and resurrection for our justification makes us the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

December 20 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kilian Kean Supporter Telecommunications Engineer (Retired)

What places the Bible apart from any religion is Prophecy. There are no inconsistencies. Confusion is cleared up with study and the power of God imparting wisdom, understanding, and insight into the Bible. 

Aside from the fact that all religions outside the Bible require work or some form of effort or giving money to obtain salvation, Jesus did it all for us. Going to heaven is absolutely free, all that is needed is to believe that Jesus died on the cross April 6, 32AD, which gave you complete access to God and eternal life in heaven. 

Prophecy is the telling of future events in a historical perspective. Over 2000 years ago, the Bible pointed out the crazy things we are seeing today. Israel is a nation of Jews who maintained their identity after being dispersed all around the world after 70AD. The odds of one man fulfilling just 48 of the total 300+ prophecies for the Messiah is 1x10 to the 157 power. That's a 1 followed by 157 zeros. Fulfilling all 300+ prophecies is in calculable, but it's true. 

Look at the government leaders of today. Isaiah 3:4-7 foretold of this day. Biden and Harris are a perfect example of this type of childlike leadership. 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 clearly displays the entire transgender insanity. 

These few prophecies prove the Bible is the very words of God to man. I can trust that the Bible is true based upon it's track record. Many have tried to kill it with lies and outright burning, but all have failed. The Bible is said to be an "anvil that has worn out many hammers."

God does not allow us to be in control of life processes. Breathing, heart beat, eye blinking and so on are in His control. As such, God made the way for eternal life in heaven after we die physically here on earth insanely simple, just believe. After belief, the facts and proofs will come as you gain wisdom, insight and understanding from God as you pursue Him.

Islam is very clear that Allah is capricious or you are unable to know if you are standing rightly before him. Hindu has over 300 million gods; as one friend told me, "You are bound to piss off one of them"; no confidence in where you stand. All Asian religions do not guarantee "enlightenment," only that you must persevere to the end, not knowing after death is a little too late if you are wrong. Jesus gives us 100% guarantee that we will go to heaven. 

My dad was a pilot in WWII. I pointed out that when he went on a bombing run, they spent time plotting a course before they suited up, navigation. Just like being a pilot you can have 100% confidence that you will go to heaven by just a simple prayer of faith in Jesus before you die. Pray to God the Father, in the Name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit and you will be there with me. Luke 23:42-43 tells us that a thief on a cross next to Jesus just believed in Him and Jesus promised him eternal life in heaven. That thief did nothing to earn his place in heaven; he only asked Jesus and received the gift freely.

April 29 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report