1. Who were the two thieves? Nothing is known about these two men. We don’t know their names. We don’t know their crimes. Their manner of execution, however, tells us that their crimes were of a serious nature. They were being crucified along with Jesus. Crucifixion was the most painful and most humiliating form of capital punishment more so than decapitation, being thrown to wild animals, or being burned alive. It was reserved for slaves, non-Roman citizens, violent offenders, and those who rebelled against Rome. Ex. Spartacus and the 6000. Describe crucifixion. Intended for public view.
2. Why were they being executed along with Jesus? They were not common thieves. The two did not holdup a food stand in the market place or were purse snatchers. The other Gospel writers used a more general term/a more encompassing term, “thieves,” to make the reader aware that these two men were not nice guys. However, Luke, being the consummate historian of the four gospel writers, uses a specific term that lets the reader know that these two men did something serious to deserve their punishment. More than likely, these two men were Zealots – Jewish terrorists who opposed Roman rule. They committed acts of violence against Romans and anyone who friendly to Romans. The two may have been working with Barabbas. Read Luke 23:18. Also, why were the two being executed with Jesus? Jesus was also being executed for rebelling against Rome. Jesus claimed to be a king.
Describe their journey to Golgotha. What they heard and saw. Customary for accused to be verbally assaulted on their journey to their place of execution. Spat upon. Cursed. Garbage thrown at them. Focus of people’s hatred/anger was on the third man (Jesus.) After their crosses were raised, the people’s anger and hatred continued to be directed at the man on the middle cross. According to the other gospels, both criminals joined with the crowd in insulting Jesus. Not once did the two criminals see Jesus respond in like manner. As time passed, one of the two criminals had a revelation about the man on the middle cross.
Read Luke 23:39-43
3. What did the first criminal say to Jesus and how did he say it? Aren’t you the all-powerful Messiah that you claim to be? Then save yourself and us. Given the reaction of the second criminal, it was probably said in a disrespectful/sarcastic tone.
4. What kind of salvation was the first criminal seeking? Physical salvation. Temporary salvation.
5. How did Luke describe the second criminal’s response to the first criminal’s words directed at Jesus? He rebuked him. The second criminal responded sharply against the first criminal’s words.
6. What did the second criminal say to the first? Point out that the only person defending Jesus against the insults and accusations of the mob – not one of the disciples, not one of the people Jesus ministered to. It is a criminal. Think about it. You can paraphrase the second criminal’s words in the following manner. He essentially said - A) Fear God. B) We deserve punishment/condemnation for our sins. C) Jesus is sinless.
7. What caused the second criminal to gain this understanding after earlier having been one of the many to insult Jesus? Somehow he came to the conclusion that Jesus was the true Messiah. Not a political ruler but the Son of God whose kingdom is not of this world. Look closely at his words – This man knows he is about to die and after he dies he knows he is going to stand before God, the Supreme Judge. He decides your fate for eternity. That knowledge has a way of causing people to assess their life and what awaits them after death. What conclusion did the second criminal reach about his life? It was unrighteous. It was sinful. He deserved condemnation. After being in the presence of Jesus … seeing how Jesus did not react with anger and hatred toward His accusers in the crowd or the ones on the crosses with Him … instead Jesus’ response are words of forgiveness for his accusers which included the second criminal. What conclusion did the second criminal reach about Jesus? He did nothing to deserve this punishment. Which leads the second criminal to take a step of faith.
8. What did the second criminal say to Jesus? D) I believe you are the Christ/Messiah, the Son of God. He came to the conclusion that Jesus was the true Messiah. Not a political ruler but the Son of God whose kingdom is not of this world. The second criminal screwed up his life in this worldly kingdom. He made a lot of bad decisions. He made poor choices. He did not live a life pleasing to anyone but himself. Those decisions/choices led him to be crucified… the worse death imaginable at that time. At death’s door, he had one final choice to make. Eternity, the spiritual kingdom, awaited him. Knowing that God, the Supreme Judge would be the one to decide his eternal fate, the second criminal wanted/needed someone to be his Advocate … his Redeemer. Who better than God’s Anointed One? The second criminal believed the man on the middle cross to be Him.
9. What was Jesus’ reply to the second criminal? Today, when we die, you and I will be in a place of peace, happiness, joy, love … no pain, no death … a place where God and man are together – paradise.
Wait a minute. The man Jesus saying this to is a convicted criminal. He has done a lot of bad things – stealing, murder, etc. He probably broke all ten commandments on a regular basis. And Jesus is telling him you are going to be with me (Jesus – who did a lot of good things (healing the sick, casting out demons, feeding the hungry) and led a sinless life) in heaven. How is that possible? Read Ephesians 2:1-9. Something to make you think – Just as the second criminal was the advocate for Jesus on earth, Jesus was the second criminal’s advocate in paradise/heaven.
10. What kind of salvation was the second criminal seeking? Spiritual salvation. Eternal salvation.
Still only three crosses today. On one cross – a world that is selfish … that is only concerned with the now … survival in the present. On another cross – a world that is seeking something more … something better than who they are … something eternal. On the middle cross is the one who died for both. How do the other two crosses react? One scoffs, insults, castigates the middle cross. The other embraces/places their faith in the middle cross. Which cross do you indentify with?
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Seventh Day
Genesis 2:2-3 – By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
1. What did God do on the seventh day? Rested. rest – in Hebrew is sabat - to come to an end; to put an end; stop; cease; work – in Hebrew is mlaka - duty; deed; craft; service; occupation; labors
2. What did God do to the seventh day? blessed – Hebrew word is barak - give praise; give thanks; extol. God was excited about all He had done the previous six days. He took time on the seventh day to reflect on what He accomplished. Not anxious or planning for the next day.
3. God sanctified/made holy the seventh day. What does that mean? Sanctify - qadas - holy; sacred; consecrated. Set apart by God for God. He anointed the seventh day to be a special day. A day that would be different from the other six. How? A day to perform no labor. A day for resting. A day to enjoy.
4. Did God need to rest? No. Why did He do so? Could God have created the Universe in one day? Yes. Why did He create it across six separate periods of time? To set an example for us to follow. We are to follow the example of our Creator. God has given us six days to do our work. We are not to accomplish every task in one day. As God rested on the seventh day and took joy in the seventh day, so should we. The seventh day is a special day/unique day/set apart from the other days of the week – a day for no labor/work. A day for us to rest from our labors – a day for us to praise and enjoy in – a day that is to be different from the other 6.
God considered observing the seventh day to be so important that He put it in writing that humanity was to observe the seventh day just as he did. It’s number 5 of the 10 commandments. Unfortunately, humanity has a way of taking a simple concept and making it more difficult than what it was intended to be. Many Jews believed God was not specific enough when He gave the Law to Moses. What did God mean by not working? What is work? Over the course of centuries, Jewish religious leaders developed laws and traditions to elaborate and explain what God had written. These man-made laws and traditions had the same authority as the Law/God’s Word. Examples – the Law says that a person is to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy by not working. What qualifies as work? The religious leaders “added” to God’s word by defining what is work – spitting on the ground to make clay, brushing one’s hair, wearing a hairclip, starting or extinguishing a fire, carrying a mat, writing or erasing letters. Items normally used for work could not even be touched on the Sabbath. They were off-limits for fear of "accidental" use. Examples – touching a hammer or looking in a mirror. Sabbath’s day journey – ¾ mile. By Jesus’ day, the Jewish religious leaders had developed 39 categories of work prohibited on the Sabbath. Within these 39 categories, well established by the time of Jesus, came the thousands of specific rules governing each situation and contingency to avoid desecrating the Sabbath. Example of minute detail re: when Sabbath began – the time between the actual sunset and the appearance of three certain stars. If a man performed work after first star, he was forgiven; if he continued after the second star, he was judged guilty of a doubtful transgression and was required to offer a sacrifice; if he continued after the third star appeared, he broke the Sabbath and to offer a sin-offering.
5. Having said all that … how would a Jew living in Jesus day view the Sabbath? A day to praise and enjoy or a burden?
6. What are some activities you were forbidden to do on Sundays?
Read Matthew 11:28-30
7. Who did Jesus invite to come to Him? Weary and burdened. What did He offer them? Rest. People in Jesus’ day wearied and burdened by poverty, disease, Roman oppression, etc. There is one thing that burdened the people that should not have – their religion with its hundreds of thousands of oral laws and traditions. The Jewish faith … their relationship with God had become a heavy load for them to bear. Mouse carrying an elephant. Jesus telling these people to come to Him. Read vs. 29-30. Explain what a yoke is. Commentary – When a farmer wanted to break in a new ox for the purpose of pulling a wagon, he would yoke together an older, well-trained ox with the new ox. The younger ox would have to keep in step with the older ox – not go too fast or too slow, older ox set the pace. Imagery of Jesus and you bearing yoke together. Jesus telling those listening to him burdened by their religion … take upon you my teaching … I am a kind and gentle teacher unlike the Jewish religious leaders … In my teaching you will find true sabat/rest. It is not as heavy as the teachings of the Jewish religious leaders.
If what Jesus said in verse 30 is true, why do so many Christians appear “weary and burdened?” We placed upon ourselves a heavier yoke than God intended. Taken on too many responsibilities. Wear too many hats.
Read Matthew 12:1-8
Explain what disciples were doing.
8. What did the Pharisees accuse disciples of doing? Pharisees were the teachers of the Law. Keepers of the law and tradition. Accused disciples of breaking the Sabbath. Harvesting grain on the Sabbath.
9. What was Jesus’ response? Presented two illustrations. A) David – who was he? How did the Jews regard David? Up there with Abraham and Moses. Running for his life from Saul. Sought sanctuary in the Temple. Extremely hungry. Asked priest for food. Only food available was consecrated bread to be eaten only by priests as commanded by the Law. What was the priest to do? Observe the Law at the expense of human’s need or show mercy? The priest chose mercy. B) The priests broke the Sabbath every week. How? By performing sacrifices.
10. According to Jesus - what’s more important, meeting needs/showing compassion on the Sabbath or strict observance of rules and traditions? Just as the Pharisees accused Jesus of being a Law breaker, Jesus accuses them of disobeying God’s word. He quotes Hosea 6:6
11. vs. 8 – What is Jesus telling the Pharisees? I make the rules regarding the Sabbath not you. Mark writes about the same event – Jesus tells the Pharisees the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. God made the Sabbath for man. Man did not make the Sabbath for man. When it comes to observing the Sabbath, God already made the rule – rest. What activities have you been told to avoid on Sunday? God gave us common sense to determine the difference between rest and work. There should be no need for a long set of guidelines to explain what is work and what is rest. Unfortunately, the Pharisees made the Sabbath a day of thou shalts and thou shalt nots in order to prove how religious they were. We need to be careful not to do the same.
God’s Sabbath - Day of rest and worship that honors God. Not observing it to show how religious you are or for sake of tradition. Doing it out of acknowledgment that God is Lord. Sign/perpetual agreement between God and His people. Exodus 31.
Legalist Sabbath - Day of rest and worship that honors self. Ritual, tradition, memorize words/songs. Observing it to show how religious you are or for sake of tradition
12. Why do Christians observe the Sabbath on the first day of the week and not the seventh? Luke 24:1; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10.
Early days of church Jewish Christians continued to observe the Sabbath on Sat. (go to synagogue and worship). Also celebrated the Lord’s Day on Sunday (Day of Jesus’ resurrection) along with Gentile Christians. Break bread, collect offerings, prayer, singing, etc. Division within the early Church on when to observe the Sabbath. Traditional Jewish Christians believed all Christians should observe Sat. Don’t, you’re not a true believer. Paul had to deal with it. Romans 14: 5-8; Colossians 2: 16-17.
Jewish Christian continued to observe Sat. as Sabbath until tensions between Mosaic Jews and Jewish Christians reached breaking point. Persecutions. Jewish Christians no longer welcomed in synagogues. Also fewer Jews accepting the Gospel. Church becoming more Gentile. Observed Sabbath on Sunday.
List advantages to observing a sabbath rest.
1) Physical and mental refreshment. Put world with its projects, deadlines, exams, etc. behind us and be refreshed for the nest 6 days. No stress/worries/anxieties.
2) Spiritual refreshment. Worship God individually and as a body of believers. Renewed spiritual strength to take on the world/the Enemy the next 6 days.
Notes on Sabbath from Disciple’s Study Bible:
Once each week a significant day calls us to remember God in His holiness. We are to fill the seventh day with significance through rest while we fill the other six with meaningful work. In so doing, we imitate God’s first acts in history.
Weekly worship indicates our recognition of the Lord as Lord of creation and is a celebration of His resurrection.
Keeping the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship is not an arbitrary selfish rule God set up to test and judge us. It is a pattern of needed rest for people enduring stress. When we refuse to set a side one day for God, we endanger our own lives.
1. What did God do on the seventh day? Rested. rest – in Hebrew is sabat - to come to an end; to put an end; stop; cease; work – in Hebrew is mlaka - duty; deed; craft; service; occupation; labors
2. What did God do to the seventh day? blessed – Hebrew word is barak - give praise; give thanks; extol. God was excited about all He had done the previous six days. He took time on the seventh day to reflect on what He accomplished. Not anxious or planning for the next day.
3. God sanctified/made holy the seventh day. What does that mean? Sanctify - qadas - holy; sacred; consecrated. Set apart by God for God. He anointed the seventh day to be a special day. A day that would be different from the other six. How? A day to perform no labor. A day for resting. A day to enjoy.
4. Did God need to rest? No. Why did He do so? Could God have created the Universe in one day? Yes. Why did He create it across six separate periods of time? To set an example for us to follow. We are to follow the example of our Creator. God has given us six days to do our work. We are not to accomplish every task in one day. As God rested on the seventh day and took joy in the seventh day, so should we. The seventh day is a special day/unique day/set apart from the other days of the week – a day for no labor/work. A day for us to rest from our labors – a day for us to praise and enjoy in – a day that is to be different from the other 6.
God considered observing the seventh day to be so important that He put it in writing that humanity was to observe the seventh day just as he did. It’s number 5 of the 10 commandments. Unfortunately, humanity has a way of taking a simple concept and making it more difficult than what it was intended to be. Many Jews believed God was not specific enough when He gave the Law to Moses. What did God mean by not working? What is work? Over the course of centuries, Jewish religious leaders developed laws and traditions to elaborate and explain what God had written. These man-made laws and traditions had the same authority as the Law/God’s Word. Examples – the Law says that a person is to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy by not working. What qualifies as work? The religious leaders “added” to God’s word by defining what is work – spitting on the ground to make clay, brushing one’s hair, wearing a hairclip, starting or extinguishing a fire, carrying a mat, writing or erasing letters. Items normally used for work could not even be touched on the Sabbath. They were off-limits for fear of "accidental" use. Examples – touching a hammer or looking in a mirror. Sabbath’s day journey – ¾ mile. By Jesus’ day, the Jewish religious leaders had developed 39 categories of work prohibited on the Sabbath. Within these 39 categories, well established by the time of Jesus, came the thousands of specific rules governing each situation and contingency to avoid desecrating the Sabbath. Example of minute detail re: when Sabbath began – the time between the actual sunset and the appearance of three certain stars. If a man performed work after first star, he was forgiven; if he continued after the second star, he was judged guilty of a doubtful transgression and was required to offer a sacrifice; if he continued after the third star appeared, he broke the Sabbath and to offer a sin-offering.
5. Having said all that … how would a Jew living in Jesus day view the Sabbath? A day to praise and enjoy or a burden?
6. What are some activities you were forbidden to do on Sundays?
Read Matthew 11:28-30
7. Who did Jesus invite to come to Him? Weary and burdened. What did He offer them? Rest. People in Jesus’ day wearied and burdened by poverty, disease, Roman oppression, etc. There is one thing that burdened the people that should not have – their religion with its hundreds of thousands of oral laws and traditions. The Jewish faith … their relationship with God had become a heavy load for them to bear. Mouse carrying an elephant. Jesus telling these people to come to Him. Read vs. 29-30. Explain what a yoke is. Commentary – When a farmer wanted to break in a new ox for the purpose of pulling a wagon, he would yoke together an older, well-trained ox with the new ox. The younger ox would have to keep in step with the older ox – not go too fast or too slow, older ox set the pace. Imagery of Jesus and you bearing yoke together. Jesus telling those listening to him burdened by their religion … take upon you my teaching … I am a kind and gentle teacher unlike the Jewish religious leaders … In my teaching you will find true sabat/rest. It is not as heavy as the teachings of the Jewish religious leaders.
If what Jesus said in verse 30 is true, why do so many Christians appear “weary and burdened?” We placed upon ourselves a heavier yoke than God intended. Taken on too many responsibilities. Wear too many hats.
Read Matthew 12:1-8
Explain what disciples were doing.
8. What did the Pharisees accuse disciples of doing? Pharisees were the teachers of the Law. Keepers of the law and tradition. Accused disciples of breaking the Sabbath. Harvesting grain on the Sabbath.
9. What was Jesus’ response? Presented two illustrations. A) David – who was he? How did the Jews regard David? Up there with Abraham and Moses. Running for his life from Saul. Sought sanctuary in the Temple. Extremely hungry. Asked priest for food. Only food available was consecrated bread to be eaten only by priests as commanded by the Law. What was the priest to do? Observe the Law at the expense of human’s need or show mercy? The priest chose mercy. B) The priests broke the Sabbath every week. How? By performing sacrifices.
10. According to Jesus - what’s more important, meeting needs/showing compassion on the Sabbath or strict observance of rules and traditions? Just as the Pharisees accused Jesus of being a Law breaker, Jesus accuses them of disobeying God’s word. He quotes Hosea 6:6
11. vs. 8 – What is Jesus telling the Pharisees? I make the rules regarding the Sabbath not you. Mark writes about the same event – Jesus tells the Pharisees the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. God made the Sabbath for man. Man did not make the Sabbath for man. When it comes to observing the Sabbath, God already made the rule – rest. What activities have you been told to avoid on Sunday? God gave us common sense to determine the difference between rest and work. There should be no need for a long set of guidelines to explain what is work and what is rest. Unfortunately, the Pharisees made the Sabbath a day of thou shalts and thou shalt nots in order to prove how religious they were. We need to be careful not to do the same.
God’s Sabbath - Day of rest and worship that honors God. Not observing it to show how religious you are or for sake of tradition. Doing it out of acknowledgment that God is Lord. Sign/perpetual agreement between God and His people. Exodus 31.
Legalist Sabbath - Day of rest and worship that honors self. Ritual, tradition, memorize words/songs. Observing it to show how religious you are or for sake of tradition
12. Why do Christians observe the Sabbath on the first day of the week and not the seventh? Luke 24:1; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10.
Early days of church Jewish Christians continued to observe the Sabbath on Sat. (go to synagogue and worship). Also celebrated the Lord’s Day on Sunday (Day of Jesus’ resurrection) along with Gentile Christians. Break bread, collect offerings, prayer, singing, etc. Division within the early Church on when to observe the Sabbath. Traditional Jewish Christians believed all Christians should observe Sat. Don’t, you’re not a true believer. Paul had to deal with it. Romans 14: 5-8; Colossians 2: 16-17.
Jewish Christian continued to observe Sat. as Sabbath until tensions between Mosaic Jews and Jewish Christians reached breaking point. Persecutions. Jewish Christians no longer welcomed in synagogues. Also fewer Jews accepting the Gospel. Church becoming more Gentile. Observed Sabbath on Sunday.
List advantages to observing a sabbath rest.
1) Physical and mental refreshment. Put world with its projects, deadlines, exams, etc. behind us and be refreshed for the nest 6 days. No stress/worries/anxieties.
2) Spiritual refreshment. Worship God individually and as a body of believers. Renewed spiritual strength to take on the world/the Enemy the next 6 days.
Notes on Sabbath from Disciple’s Study Bible:
Once each week a significant day calls us to remember God in His holiness. We are to fill the seventh day with significance through rest while we fill the other six with meaningful work. In so doing, we imitate God’s first acts in history.
Weekly worship indicates our recognition of the Lord as Lord of creation and is a celebration of His resurrection.
Keeping the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship is not an arbitrary selfish rule God set up to test and judge us. It is a pattern of needed rest for people enduring stress. When we refuse to set a side one day for God, we endanger our own lives.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
In the Beginning ... pt 3
Day 5 – Water creatures (whales down to shrimp) and birds according to their own kind; spoke them into being; said it was good. He was pleased with what He accomplished. After God created the water creatures and birds, what did He do that He did not do/say the previous days (vs. 22)? God blessed the water animals and birds. He exalted them. Why did He do so? God was excited at what He was witnessing on earth. Seeing whales swimming in the oceans. Dolphins playing in the water. Catfish wallowing around in the mud. Birds flying through the air. Penguins waddling around. Martins swooping all over the place. Eagles soaring in the sky. Robins, owls, sparrows, singing their songs. God was loving it. Earth had gone from darkness and desolation to now vibrant with life. God took joy in what He was seeing and hearing. And so, God blessed them and encouraged the water animals and birds to do what? Be fruitful and multiply. Fill up the earth that He created.
Day 6 – God created all the land animals (mammals, marsupials, reptiles, insects)
according to their own kind; spoke them into being; said it was good. He was pleased with what He accomplished. God was not finished. He had one more creation – humans.
Genesis 1:26 – God says, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Why does God say “us” and “our” and not “me” and “my”? Read John 1:1-5; Genesis 1:2. The Holy Trinity was present at Creation. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Father – Creator; Son – Light; Spirit – Breath (Hebrew word – ruwach). Each played a role in the creation of man. Specifically, they gave man life.
How was the creation of humans different from everything else God created? Unlike everything else He created, God did not speak man into being. He formed man; He made man. ‘Asah – Hebrew word for “make.” It means to fashion. Bara’ – Hebrew word for “create.” It means to shape/form. How did God create man? Genesis 2:7 – God, with His two hands, reached down into dirt. He began to mold the dirt. Shape it. God created the cells. He formed the mitochondria and chromosomes. He formed the bones, muscles, tendons. He gave us eyes to see, ears to hear, nerves to feel, taste buds to taste, and a nose to smell. A brain - probably the most wondrous/marvelous/amazing part of man that God created. Finally, God breathed into man giving him the gift of life. Why did God create man in a different manner than He did everything else? God setting the tone for the unique/close relationship He would have with man … an expression of His deep, abiding love for man. What do you have a greater affinity for? Something you bought or something you made? Something you made. Why? A little piece of you is in whatever you made. Ex. Todd and Elyse
God created man in His image and likeness. What does that mean? Tselem – Hebrew word for “image”; Dmuwth – Hebrew word for “likeness” or “resemblance.” God created in man attributes/characteristics (physical, emotional, spiritual) that are found in Him. Physical – appearance (God does not look like an animal); Emotional – Love, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Patience; Spiritual – Righteousness, Holiness (Adam was created without sin.)
Of all the things God could have used to create man (gold, silver, precious stones, etc.), why dirt? You would think the zenith of God’s creation would have been made from something more valuable than dust. Hebrew word for dust is `aphar - dry earth, dust. Perhaps God did so to keep man humble. Although man was made in the image and likeness of God, we are not God. We are the created, not the Creator. Being made of dirt reminds us of that fact. Read Psalm 90:1-4.
Read vs. 28-31. God blessed man and woman. He exalted them. God was excited over his latest creation.
What did God say to man and woman? 1) Be fruitful and multiply – Fill the earth that I created. 2) Subdue it – bring it under your (man and woman’s) authority. 3) Have dominion/rule over all living things – animal and plant. What did God give man and woman? The keys to Creation. Man and woman were given the responsibility to oversee the earth God created. He gave them responsibility to take good care of what He created. Think about it. Days 1-6.5, God created light, atmosphere, land, oceans, celestial bodies, plants, water animals, birds, plants, and land animals. The second half of day 6, He creates man and woman and says “Here, it’s yours to look after.” Isn’t that amazing? It would be like if I spent a year building a house – 8 bedrooms, 10 baths, huge kitchen, dining room, entertainment room, swimming pool, etc. I built it with my own two hands. I paid for it with my own money. After it’s completed, I take the keys, give them to Paul, and tell him “it’s yours. Look after it.” Paul did nothing to build the house. I did so as an expression of grace (unmerited favor.) Giving man and woman dominion over the earth was an expression of God’s grace towards them. Another example found in John 3:16.
God created man and woman the way He did so that they could fulfill the responsibility God gave them. God created humanity with the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual characteristics necessary to fulfill its God given role. How good job is humanity doing today in fulfilling the responsibility given to it in Genesis 1:28-30?
At the end of day 6, what was God’s opinion of everything He created? It was very good. He looked back at everything He had made from Light to man and woman and was extremely pleased with what He had accomplished. Notice that humans were the ultimate expression of His Creation. Not galaxies, sun, moon, oceans, plant, or animal. Man is the cherry on top of the ice cream. How does that make you feel? How does that knowledge impact how you perceive yourself … your relationship with God? Go back and re-read predominant science’s version of creation and answer the previous questions. Probably will offer a different response.
Creation often is a reflection of the Creator. What does the Genesis account of Creation
say about God? Your thoughts.
Bonus points found in the Genesis account of Creation:
Genesis account completely undermines the central teachings of ancient religions. Ancient religions regarded celestial bodies and animals to be what? gods. The most popular gods were sun gods, moon gods, thunder gods, water gods, sea creature gods. They were responsible for creating everything even man. Purpose for creating humanity was to be slaves to gods … subject to the whimsical nature of the gods … pieces on a chess board. Genesis account of Creation regarded celestial bodies and animals to be what? Created objects … physical object that fulfilled a natural not supernatural purpose. God made the sun, moon, stars, animals. Nothing divine or supernatural about them. God created humans not to be His slaves, not to toy around with, take joy in their misery. Rather they were given a tremendous responsibility – stewards/managers over everything He created.
Day 6 – God created all the land animals (mammals, marsupials, reptiles, insects)
according to their own kind; spoke them into being; said it was good. He was pleased with what He accomplished. God was not finished. He had one more creation – humans.
Genesis 1:26 – God says, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Why does God say “us” and “our” and not “me” and “my”? Read John 1:1-5; Genesis 1:2. The Holy Trinity was present at Creation. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Father – Creator; Son – Light; Spirit – Breath (Hebrew word – ruwach). Each played a role in the creation of man. Specifically, they gave man life.
How was the creation of humans different from everything else God created? Unlike everything else He created, God did not speak man into being. He formed man; He made man. ‘Asah – Hebrew word for “make.” It means to fashion. Bara’ – Hebrew word for “create.” It means to shape/form. How did God create man? Genesis 2:7 – God, with His two hands, reached down into dirt. He began to mold the dirt. Shape it. God created the cells. He formed the mitochondria and chromosomes. He formed the bones, muscles, tendons. He gave us eyes to see, ears to hear, nerves to feel, taste buds to taste, and a nose to smell. A brain - probably the most wondrous/marvelous/amazing part of man that God created. Finally, God breathed into man giving him the gift of life. Why did God create man in a different manner than He did everything else? God setting the tone for the unique/close relationship He would have with man … an expression of His deep, abiding love for man. What do you have a greater affinity for? Something you bought or something you made? Something you made. Why? A little piece of you is in whatever you made. Ex. Todd and Elyse
God created man in His image and likeness. What does that mean? Tselem – Hebrew word for “image”; Dmuwth – Hebrew word for “likeness” or “resemblance.” God created in man attributes/characteristics (physical, emotional, spiritual) that are found in Him. Physical – appearance (God does not look like an animal); Emotional – Love, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Patience; Spiritual – Righteousness, Holiness (Adam was created without sin.)
Of all the things God could have used to create man (gold, silver, precious stones, etc.), why dirt? You would think the zenith of God’s creation would have been made from something more valuable than dust. Hebrew word for dust is `aphar - dry earth, dust. Perhaps God did so to keep man humble. Although man was made in the image and likeness of God, we are not God. We are the created, not the Creator. Being made of dirt reminds us of that fact. Read Psalm 90:1-4.
Read vs. 28-31. God blessed man and woman. He exalted them. God was excited over his latest creation.
What did God say to man and woman? 1) Be fruitful and multiply – Fill the earth that I created. 2) Subdue it – bring it under your (man and woman’s) authority. 3) Have dominion/rule over all living things – animal and plant. What did God give man and woman? The keys to Creation. Man and woman were given the responsibility to oversee the earth God created. He gave them responsibility to take good care of what He created. Think about it. Days 1-6.5, God created light, atmosphere, land, oceans, celestial bodies, plants, water animals, birds, plants, and land animals. The second half of day 6, He creates man and woman and says “Here, it’s yours to look after.” Isn’t that amazing? It would be like if I spent a year building a house – 8 bedrooms, 10 baths, huge kitchen, dining room, entertainment room, swimming pool, etc. I built it with my own two hands. I paid for it with my own money. After it’s completed, I take the keys, give them to Paul, and tell him “it’s yours. Look after it.” Paul did nothing to build the house. I did so as an expression of grace (unmerited favor.) Giving man and woman dominion over the earth was an expression of God’s grace towards them. Another example found in John 3:16.
God created man and woman the way He did so that they could fulfill the responsibility God gave them. God created humanity with the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual characteristics necessary to fulfill its God given role. How good job is humanity doing today in fulfilling the responsibility given to it in Genesis 1:28-30?
At the end of day 6, what was God’s opinion of everything He created? It was very good. He looked back at everything He had made from Light to man and woman and was extremely pleased with what He had accomplished. Notice that humans were the ultimate expression of His Creation. Not galaxies, sun, moon, oceans, plant, or animal. Man is the cherry on top of the ice cream. How does that make you feel? How does that knowledge impact how you perceive yourself … your relationship with God? Go back and re-read predominant science’s version of creation and answer the previous questions. Probably will offer a different response.
Creation often is a reflection of the Creator. What does the Genesis account of Creation
say about God? Your thoughts.
Bonus points found in the Genesis account of Creation:
Genesis account completely undermines the central teachings of ancient religions. Ancient religions regarded celestial bodies and animals to be what? gods. The most popular gods were sun gods, moon gods, thunder gods, water gods, sea creature gods. They were responsible for creating everything even man. Purpose for creating humanity was to be slaves to gods … subject to the whimsical nature of the gods … pieces on a chess board. Genesis account of Creation regarded celestial bodies and animals to be what? Created objects … physical object that fulfilled a natural not supernatural purpose. God made the sun, moon, stars, animals. Nothing divine or supernatural about them. God created humans not to be His slaves, not to toy around with, take joy in their misery. Rather they were given a tremendous responsibility – stewards/managers over everything He created.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Evolution vs. Creation by Paul Kaseloo
This issue has profound implications for everyone. In our society we have, unfortunately, reached the point where secular evolution is O.K. to discuss anywhere including schools, but creation has to be hidden away. This concerns me greatly (as I know it does many) because all children (and adults for that matter) are exposed to it in the science classroom and won’t hear the other side (from a scientific viewpoint) unless it is brought to them. It is also distressing that many now equate secular evolution with intelligence and the Genesis account of creation as a “blind faith” or superstition. Even many Christians view it as an allegory not as a literate truth or historical account. I hope that this information will help to illustrate the point that evolution really is a “belief” of its own and also help further discussions with people who may be curious as to how we (Christians) respond to the “scientific” claims put forward.
The guiding principle for Christian apologetics is well summed up in 1 Peter 3:15-16:
“…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and(Y) respect, 16(Z) having a good conscience, so that,(AA) when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
We can see evidence for extreme precision and design at many levels. The “anthropic principle” is a term used to describe a series of cosmological constants or parameters that must be very finely tuned and support the idea that the universe was designed to support life. For example:
• The ratio of electron mass to proton mass: if different inefficient chemical bonding.
• The ratio of the number of protons to electrons: if larger or smaller electromagnetism would dominate gravity and prevent galaxy, star and planet formation.
• The ratio of carbon (12) to oxygen (16): if larger insufficient oxygen; if smaller insufficient carbon.
• Structure of the water molecule: unlike every other substance known its solid form is less dense (ice) than the liquid form. If different the planet would be nearly frozen.
• (A personal favorite) The actual density of mass in the universe is about five millionths of a trillionth of a trillionth (5 x 10-30) of a gram of matter per cubic centimeter or about one hydrogen atom in a cubic meter (a few in a typical room) this is almost exactly the critical density required (called omega). If this were less there would be an open universe (the big chill – few regions would collapse) and more than one a closed universe (the big crunch – everything would collapse)
The Bible is full of passages that describe creation outside of Genesis. For example:
Job 38:1-18; Psalm 147:4; Psalm 148; Isaiah 40:12-26; Jeremiah 33:25
Evolution
The theory of Evolution as proposed by Darwin in “The Origin of Species” published in 1859:
• Individuals with certain heritable characteristics survive and reproduce at a higher rate than other individuals
• Natural selection (“survival of the fittest”) increases the adaptation of organisms to their environment over time
• If an environment changes over time, natural selection may result in adaptation to these new conditions and may give rise to new species
Macroevloution (unedited)
Earth formed about 4.6 billion years ago along with the rest of the solar system. The early atmosphere likely contained water vapor and chemicals released by volcanic eruptions (e.g. nitrogen, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, hydrogen etc.). Older hypotheses involved the synthesis of organic compounds in the atmosphere (lightning hypothesis), but now it is believed that these may have come from submerged volcanoes or deep sea vents. Alternatively, amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) have been found in meteorites. Small organic molecules may have formed on hot sand, clay or rock.
Protobionts are abiotically produced molecules that have a membrane like structure and have simple metabolism and reproduction (note: these are created experimentally). The first genetic material was probably RNA and not DNA (the genetic material used by all living organisms today). The theory is that this RNA somehow regulated these “pre-cells” that reproduced themselves.
The first cells were simple single-celled organisms (similar to today’s bacteria – termed prokaryotes) and these were the only living things from 3.5-2.1 billion years ago. Some of these organisms became photosynthetic (i.e. can use sunlight for energy and produce oxygen) which caused an accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere. The oldest of the more complicated cells (eukaryotes) date to 2.1 billion years ago. These cells are believed to have evolved when one simple cell entered another and took over a particular function (such as photosynthesis in plants). Over time, multiple such events took place which resulted in the much more complicated cells that all other groups of organisms have (animals, plants, fungi).
The second wave of diversification occurred when multicellular organisms evolved. These organisms began as some small algae dated to 1.2 billion years ago. Fungi, plants and animals colonized land about 500 million years ago. Tetrapods (four-limbed land animals) evolved from certain fishes about 365 million years ago.
Evolution is like “tinkering” in which new forms arise from slight modification of existing ones. Most novel biological structures evolve from previously existing structures. Natural selection on only improve a structure in the context of its current utility. There is no purpose or goal to evolution (it is simply an ongoing process).
Ages of fossils are determined by radiometric dating as one isotope decays to a “daughter” such as carbon-14 decaying to carbon-12. (Note carbon dating is only good up to about 75,000 years ago and then you have to use assays of other isotopes in the surrounding sedimentary rock).
* What does evolution of life entail? – All of the following occurred without direction:
1) The creation of the large organic molecules (critical to living systems) from smaller inorganic ones.
2) The self-assembly of these organic molecules into a simple “pre-cell” that could carry out internal chemical reactions and reproduce.
3) The evolution of these into true cells with some kind of membrane and controlling molecule (now presumably RNA).
4) The combination of multiple simple single cells into more complex cells with the “internalized” cells taking on specialized functions.
5) The combination of multiple single cells into complex multicellular organisms such as plants and animals with as many as trillions of cells working in combination.
6) The evolution of DNA as the genetic material as the controlling molecule and the creation of the genetic code (more on this below).
* What do we have today?
1) All living organisms come from pre-existing living organisms (i.e. “life comes from life”). There are no examples of organic molecules or cells assembling from inorganic material, using mechanisms other than DNA as their genetic information, or examples of organisms forming or combining from simpler cells such as bacteria.
* What is the genetic code?
All living organisms use DNA as their genetic material (from bacteria to humans) and all of them use the same genetic code which is a sequence in the DNA to code for the information to assemble amino acids into proteins. Basically, DNA is a long string of building block molecules of four types (called nucleotides) symbolized by the letters A, T, G and C these are then turned into another molecule (RNA) - just substitute U for T. A combination of three of these letters codes for a particular amino acid (of which there are 20). The sequence of amino acids then determines the structure of the final protein produced and these can vary from a few dozen to thousands. Note that for a particular protein to be functional you must have the right amino acids in the right sequence. It’s like we use the alphabet to make words and sentences. If you put the letters in the wrong sequence it doesn’t make sense – in the same way DNA coordinates the sequence of amino acids in proteins.
Just a warning – evolutionary theory keeps evolving! When Darwin first proposed the theory of evolution the presumption was that evolution would be gradual with many transitional forms (bottom pattern). However, by the mid/late 1970’s it was becoming apparent that this wasn’t always the case (the fossil record didn’t support it in many cases) and this was pointed out by other evolutionists. So – we have “punctuated equilibria” that occurs when species pop-up very suddenly!
Some points that may help when discussing this issue with someone who is unsure or even antagonistic to these ideas:
• Christians don’t oppose all science
• Christians (at least no major group that I know of) argue that natural selection doesn’t occur or that natural genetic variation doesn’t occur within populations of living organisms – in fact the term “microevolution” refers to these patterns of changes in existing populations based on changes in the environment and would not be contradicted (I don’t think) by anyone
• We all know that new “species” can be created for example by human breeding – but this involves manipulating already existing variation, is limited to the same “kind” and doesn’t produce better adapted forms (e.g. domestic dogs vs. wolves)
• Creation science has an entire catalog of articles and papers dealing with the same “facts” as secular evolutionists and have an entirely different set of explanations that are also rational and based on scientific observations
• Creationists believe that all life was created by God as given in Genesis 1 however their view of findings such as fossils includes mass extinction of living organisms during Noah’s flood and enormous shifts in landforms taking place – there was also the following dispersal of humans following the tower of Babel
• Secular evolutionists begin with assumption that everything evolved from nothing and would not even consider such events (i.e. they don’t evaluate the creation account)
• How one interprets things is all based on your worldview and the presuppositions that one has before beginning this analysis
I would contend that secular evolution as the source of all life (and the atheistic “big bang”) are not simply based on irrefutable facts, but constitute a belief system based on a series of presuppositions to support them (i.e. natural processes alone can make everything).
Observational or experimental science, such as we would use to study a cell under a microscope, that can be repeated and verified is not the same as historical (or forensic) science where we have to make presuppositions to begin with and then interpret what we find based on those presuppositions.
The theory of evolution is based on the presupposition of no supernatural force (i.e. God) and is the best explanation available based on that starting point and is logical, even if it is incorrect. It will be very difficult to convince any person who believes strongly in secular evolution that they are wrong, because I don’t know of any event or piece of evidence that would be conclusive (until Jesus returns!). We all know that God has given us free will and some appearance that would interfere with that would not seem to be consistent with his character. We have to choose to believe, but it isn’t a blind faith either and it would appear that it actually takes more “faith” to believe in an atheistic explanation for life.
Is there a danger in the secular evolutionist philosophy? Specifically – there is no God and there is no purpose to evolution (by definition).
What about morality? Do right and wrong mean anything in an atheistic universe?
Does belief in creation in Genesis matter, so long as we believe in Jesus?
Warnings about false teachings and secular thought. Isaiah 29:15-16; Romans 1:18-23;
1Corinthians 2:14; Colossians 2:8
The guiding principle for Christian apologetics is well summed up in 1 Peter 3:15-16:
“…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and(Y) respect, 16(Z) having a good conscience, so that,(AA) when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
We can see evidence for extreme precision and design at many levels. The “anthropic principle” is a term used to describe a series of cosmological constants or parameters that must be very finely tuned and support the idea that the universe was designed to support life. For example:
• The ratio of electron mass to proton mass: if different inefficient chemical bonding.
• The ratio of the number of protons to electrons: if larger or smaller electromagnetism would dominate gravity and prevent galaxy, star and planet formation.
• The ratio of carbon (12) to oxygen (16): if larger insufficient oxygen; if smaller insufficient carbon.
• Structure of the water molecule: unlike every other substance known its solid form is less dense (ice) than the liquid form. If different the planet would be nearly frozen.
• (A personal favorite) The actual density of mass in the universe is about five millionths of a trillionth of a trillionth (5 x 10-30) of a gram of matter per cubic centimeter or about one hydrogen atom in a cubic meter (a few in a typical room) this is almost exactly the critical density required (called omega). If this were less there would be an open universe (the big chill – few regions would collapse) and more than one a closed universe (the big crunch – everything would collapse)
The Bible is full of passages that describe creation outside of Genesis. For example:
Job 38:1-18; Psalm 147:4; Psalm 148; Isaiah 40:12-26; Jeremiah 33:25
Evolution
The theory of Evolution as proposed by Darwin in “The Origin of Species” published in 1859:
• Individuals with certain heritable characteristics survive and reproduce at a higher rate than other individuals
• Natural selection (“survival of the fittest”) increases the adaptation of organisms to their environment over time
• If an environment changes over time, natural selection may result in adaptation to these new conditions and may give rise to new species
Macroevloution (unedited)
Earth formed about 4.6 billion years ago along with the rest of the solar system. The early atmosphere likely contained water vapor and chemicals released by volcanic eruptions (e.g. nitrogen, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, hydrogen etc.). Older hypotheses involved the synthesis of organic compounds in the atmosphere (lightning hypothesis), but now it is believed that these may have come from submerged volcanoes or deep sea vents. Alternatively, amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) have been found in meteorites. Small organic molecules may have formed on hot sand, clay or rock.
Protobionts are abiotically produced molecules that have a membrane like structure and have simple metabolism and reproduction (note: these are created experimentally). The first genetic material was probably RNA and not DNA (the genetic material used by all living organisms today). The theory is that this RNA somehow regulated these “pre-cells” that reproduced themselves.
The first cells were simple single-celled organisms (similar to today’s bacteria – termed prokaryotes) and these were the only living things from 3.5-2.1 billion years ago. Some of these organisms became photosynthetic (i.e. can use sunlight for energy and produce oxygen) which caused an accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere. The oldest of the more complicated cells (eukaryotes) date to 2.1 billion years ago. These cells are believed to have evolved when one simple cell entered another and took over a particular function (such as photosynthesis in plants). Over time, multiple such events took place which resulted in the much more complicated cells that all other groups of organisms have (animals, plants, fungi).
The second wave of diversification occurred when multicellular organisms evolved. These organisms began as some small algae dated to 1.2 billion years ago. Fungi, plants and animals colonized land about 500 million years ago. Tetrapods (four-limbed land animals) evolved from certain fishes about 365 million years ago.
Evolution is like “tinkering” in which new forms arise from slight modification of existing ones. Most novel biological structures evolve from previously existing structures. Natural selection on only improve a structure in the context of its current utility. There is no purpose or goal to evolution (it is simply an ongoing process).
Ages of fossils are determined by radiometric dating as one isotope decays to a “daughter” such as carbon-14 decaying to carbon-12. (Note carbon dating is only good up to about 75,000 years ago and then you have to use assays of other isotopes in the surrounding sedimentary rock).
* What does evolution of life entail? – All of the following occurred without direction:
1) The creation of the large organic molecules (critical to living systems) from smaller inorganic ones.
2) The self-assembly of these organic molecules into a simple “pre-cell” that could carry out internal chemical reactions and reproduce.
3) The evolution of these into true cells with some kind of membrane and controlling molecule (now presumably RNA).
4) The combination of multiple simple single cells into more complex cells with the “internalized” cells taking on specialized functions.
5) The combination of multiple single cells into complex multicellular organisms such as plants and animals with as many as trillions of cells working in combination.
6) The evolution of DNA as the genetic material as the controlling molecule and the creation of the genetic code (more on this below).
* What do we have today?
1) All living organisms come from pre-existing living organisms (i.e. “life comes from life”). There are no examples of organic molecules or cells assembling from inorganic material, using mechanisms other than DNA as their genetic information, or examples of organisms forming or combining from simpler cells such as bacteria.
* What is the genetic code?
All living organisms use DNA as their genetic material (from bacteria to humans) and all of them use the same genetic code which is a sequence in the DNA to code for the information to assemble amino acids into proteins. Basically, DNA is a long string of building block molecules of four types (called nucleotides) symbolized by the letters A, T, G and C these are then turned into another molecule (RNA) - just substitute U for T. A combination of three of these letters codes for a particular amino acid (of which there are 20). The sequence of amino acids then determines the structure of the final protein produced and these can vary from a few dozen to thousands. Note that for a particular protein to be functional you must have the right amino acids in the right sequence. It’s like we use the alphabet to make words and sentences. If you put the letters in the wrong sequence it doesn’t make sense – in the same way DNA coordinates the sequence of amino acids in proteins.
Just a warning – evolutionary theory keeps evolving! When Darwin first proposed the theory of evolution the presumption was that evolution would be gradual with many transitional forms (bottom pattern). However, by the mid/late 1970’s it was becoming apparent that this wasn’t always the case (the fossil record didn’t support it in many cases) and this was pointed out by other evolutionists. So – we have “punctuated equilibria” that occurs when species pop-up very suddenly!
Some points that may help when discussing this issue with someone who is unsure or even antagonistic to these ideas:
• Christians don’t oppose all science
• Christians (at least no major group that I know of) argue that natural selection doesn’t occur or that natural genetic variation doesn’t occur within populations of living organisms – in fact the term “microevolution” refers to these patterns of changes in existing populations based on changes in the environment and would not be contradicted (I don’t think) by anyone
• We all know that new “species” can be created for example by human breeding – but this involves manipulating already existing variation, is limited to the same “kind” and doesn’t produce better adapted forms (e.g. domestic dogs vs. wolves)
• Creation science has an entire catalog of articles and papers dealing with the same “facts” as secular evolutionists and have an entirely different set of explanations that are also rational and based on scientific observations
• Creationists believe that all life was created by God as given in Genesis 1 however their view of findings such as fossils includes mass extinction of living organisms during Noah’s flood and enormous shifts in landforms taking place – there was also the following dispersal of humans following the tower of Babel
• Secular evolutionists begin with assumption that everything evolved from nothing and would not even consider such events (i.e. they don’t evaluate the creation account)
• How one interprets things is all based on your worldview and the presuppositions that one has before beginning this analysis
I would contend that secular evolution as the source of all life (and the atheistic “big bang”) are not simply based on irrefutable facts, but constitute a belief system based on a series of presuppositions to support them (i.e. natural processes alone can make everything).
Observational or experimental science, such as we would use to study a cell under a microscope, that can be repeated and verified is not the same as historical (or forensic) science where we have to make presuppositions to begin with and then interpret what we find based on those presuppositions.
The theory of evolution is based on the presupposition of no supernatural force (i.e. God) and is the best explanation available based on that starting point and is logical, even if it is incorrect. It will be very difficult to convince any person who believes strongly in secular evolution that they are wrong, because I don’t know of any event or piece of evidence that would be conclusive (until Jesus returns!). We all know that God has given us free will and some appearance that would interfere with that would not seem to be consistent with his character. We have to choose to believe, but it isn’t a blind faith either and it would appear that it actually takes more “faith” to believe in an atheistic explanation for life.
Is there a danger in the secular evolutionist philosophy? Specifically – there is no God and there is no purpose to evolution (by definition).
What about morality? Do right and wrong mean anything in an atheistic universe?
Does belief in creation in Genesis matter, so long as we believe in Jesus?
Warnings about false teachings and secular thought. Isaiah 29:15-16; Romans 1:18-23;
1Corinthians 2:14; Colossians 2:8
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