Friday, May 15, 2020

need for apologetics for youth

1.  Dr. Tofflemire, so you have written a book on apologetics tell me about it.
Yes  It is titled Evidences for God and His Creations.  available from Author House. It has over 200 references and surveys the top authors and findings on apologetics and on why the Bible is true, and God exists.
2. Why did you feel lead to write this book?
There are statistics that 50% of high school youth and  70% of college youth drop away from the Christian faith due to the naturalistic teachings they receive. These teachings say that there is no God and no miracles. How sad it is to send your child off to school and have him come home an atheist.
3. Is there a way to prevent this loss of our youth?
Yes statistics show that if the child has had classes on apologetics and world views, that this loss is greatly reduced.  Parents, churches and  some Christian schools can provide such training.  My Book and web site has such training.  Also there are many good apologetics training packages for youth available.  I have used a good youth package from Answers in Genesis that went over well with HS age youth. It had videos, questions for dialog, study guides, interactive activities.
4. Do you think churches are providing this training?
For the most part no. Youth are given fun times, fellowship, and worship with almost no teaching on apologetics.  Their questions and challenges to the the faith presented by atheistic professors are never answered. They doubt the bible being true. This is a greater problem when they leave home and go to college.
5. Does this have an effect or their morals and actions?
Yes they end up believing in relative morals. With this view- what ever their friends and society in general believes is what they believe and it can change with time.  This leads to loose sex, homosexuality, same sex marriage, crime, even drug and alcohol use to get high.  If one believes the Bible is true, your morals are anchored in It, to true and unchanging moral standards.
6. So are you available to help with this training?.
Yes I would love to and and feel called to do so. I am near in Athens, Tn. but can travel around and show training packages or do training. I used to live in Jacksonville , Fl.
7 Can you tell a little about yourself?
Yes I have had training in public speaking and am a distinguished toastmaster, I also have a masters in Christian ministry and a Dr. degree in Environmental engineering. I have given sermons on the Bible being true at local churches, and have been a past youth leader.
8. Thank you Dr. Tofflemire  for sharing about your book Evidences for God and His Creations and the need to train youth in apologetics, we will have your contact information on file here.

Ref.
Book is available from Author House as publisher, or online book stores like amazon.
Dr. James Tofflemire phone 904-705-6534, email engtuffy@comcast .net

Thursday, May 7, 2020

G. Koukl book on Tactics for evangelism

Koukl has a great book titled "Tactics ".  It is directed toward good witnessing and evangelism and incorporates some apologetics. I have a summary of it on my web revised site Creationapologetics.net

Friday, May 1, 2020

Revised apologetics book

I have done a new updated version of my apologetics book: Evidences for God and His Creations.  It has many new references.

Friday, December 14, 2012

How Do We Know the Bible is True? Vol. 2 by Ham and Hodge 2012

       The book has 31 chapters and 352 pgs. Many chapters support the truth of the Bible, but some deal with other topics, like Atlantis. It is easy to read and understand. Chapter Summaries are below and I add a little from the web.
Introduction Ham raised the question What is the world’s most dangerous book? He first noted Darwin’s Origin of the Species.  It fueled racist ideas, and Hitler used evolution in his philosophy and policies. Australian Aborigines were also killed and put in museums as specimens to observe. Evolution led to naturalism and atheistic philosophy, where morals are relative.  Marxism was also promoted by these views. A second dangerous book is the Koran.  Some of its verses promote killing of Pagans(9:5; 8:12), and terrorist activities like 9/11. He concluded in noting the Bible is the most dangerous book, because of the life changing message.
Chap.1 Ham noted why young people are leaving our churches. They are given little teaching on apologetics and the Bible being true in churches. When they go to public schools they are swayed away for the truth of the Bible, due to the naturalistic teachings. This change of views occurs in middle school, high school, and in college. The book Already Gone documents this from detailed survey results. Some 90% of children in the US attend public schools. He recommends that apologetics be taught in churches and the parents should also learn about it. Most youth classes do not cover it. Thus many youth believe the Bible is not historically true and favor relative morals of the culture.
Chap. 2 Hodge noted that most colleges started as Christian are now secular. Harvard, Yale and Princeton are examples. This shift appended in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s as evolution became the favored philosophy. A book documenting this is The Sacred and the Secular University by Roberts and Turner. The book Already Compromised by Ham and Hall also noted how even Christian colleges are more secular and often have a weak view of the inerrancy of the Bible.
Chap. 3  Hall noted this shift to the secular in Christian colleges. They have a weak vie of inerrancy of the Bible which leads to other views like the following: 1. Genesis is allegorical and not literally true. 2.The earth  is millions of yrs old; there was no world wide flood. 3. The History of Adam and Eve is also allegorical, as we evolved from apes, and the fall is allegorical.4. Alternate views of the early history are used like The Gap Theory, the Day Age Theory, Theistic Evolution, Progressive Creation, and the Framework hypothesis. The book Already Compromised documents this from survey results of Christian colleges. Many parents are not aware of this trend and need to see their children have a grounding of teaching in apologetics.
Chap. 4 Who Created God? Hodge.  God is eternal and needs no creator; time is infinite and God created time. Elohim is used for God and this hints of plurality but a single unity. God is the ultimate authority on his existence (Heb 6:13).
Chap. 5. Why is the Bible Unique? Broggi  1. The Bible declares if is God’s word. (3800 times God said or Thus says the Lord)  2 Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by the inspiration of God. 2. The Bible is historically accurate: Luke was a good historian says Wm Ramsey pg 50. In 1806 the French Institute of Science listed 80 historical inaccuracies in the Bible. Now all of then have been proven wrong and the bible correct. 3. The Bible has Supernatural unity and Construction.  It has about 40 authors, but  is a unified book that is well preserved. 4. Its Prophesies cam true. There are no verifiable fulfilled prophecies in the Koran, the Book of Mormon or in the Upanishads. 5. The Bible is very well preserved when compared to other books.
Chap. 6 What is Apologetics?  Ham and Hodge. 1 Pet. 3:15 in Greek Apologia means a reasoned defense. There are different types of apologetics: 1. Classical 2. Evidential 3 Presuppositional 4.  Clarkian- The best worldview is the most logical 5. Shaferian- the worldview that gives the best answers.6. Carnelliam- the most coherent. It is good to tailor you arguments to what the unbeliever thinks and do this with gentleness and respect. Some atheist world view challenge areas: Why wear clothes, animals don’t; how do you define right and wrong? Arbitrary, inconsistent, violations of preconditions for knowledge.
Chap. 7 Findings of the Jesus Seminar Chaffey noted that the seminar meet for the first time in 1985 The group included Atheists, liberal protestants, Catholics, Jews. ½ had went to liberal divinity schools. The results were published in the Five Gospels, The Acts of Jesus and The Gospel of Jesus. The group rejected the inerrancy of scripture and miracles. They voted with colored beads on the truth of Jesus sayings in the Gospels. By taking all of Jesus miracles out and many of his gospel sayings, a very strange gospel appeared. They attributed the early gospels to coming from a Q source, but no Q source or document has ever been found. They rated the Gospel of Thomas higher in reliability than the other gospels.
Chap. 8. Theistic Evolution – Patterson There are a number of different views of creation among Christians. The Theistic Evolution views are promoted by Biologos and Francis Collins, Peter Enns, Joel Hunter, Bruce Waltke, and Tim Keller. The definition and details of this view varies somewhat: There was evolution and God started it and sometimes guided it. They hold to the big bang, and an old earth, and biological evolution. They differ on whether Adam and eve were real people, but man evolved from ape. Intelligent Design founders also hold to a big ban and old earth. Progressive creation is a view held by Hugh Ross, founder of Reasons to Believe. They favor the big bang and a form of the day age theory, along with a local flood. They believe all human came from Adam and Eve, although there were earlier hominids. These view compromise scriptures to some degree and favor alternate interpretations of Gen. 1-3. Wm Craig’s view in Reasonable Faith notes some room for various interpretations including the 24hr day view. http://www.reasonablefaith.org/rf-tools/download-materials  His audios 5-6 of the Doctrine of Creation also as 170-171, talk about creation and Genesis and the possible day-age theory.
Craig makes the point that although Genesis is an Historical narrative, early Genesis 1 has some flowery and majestic language and repeated phrases, not typical of a narrative: “Then God said, let there be- and it was so, Evening came and then morning the 1st day.” This could imply some majesty and hidden meaning beyond a straight history.
Chap. 9 Trusting the History of the Gospels. Patterson says this comes down to an issue of authority: this Bible is true, or man’s findings of science. It is also an issue of consistency: Most Christians would say the Bible is true on the resurrection and miracles and on the fall of Adam and Eve, but not on the age of the earth. A recent poll of protestant pastors showed that only 30 % believed in a young earth of about 6000 yrs, while 34% believed in an old earth of 4.5 million yrs. That poll found that 74% believed that Adam and Eve were real people, and 64 % disagreed that God used evolution to create people. This is inconsistent in that the history is told is early Genesis. At what point in Genesis do we find a truly historical event?  Is all of Genesis in error? A survey of evangelical colleges noted 91 % believed the flood happened, with 58% believing it was worldwide.
Chap. 10 Christian Unity- Steve Ham. Unity in Christ is an important principle, but it does not teach it comes thru consensus of opinion(especially opinion of the world). John 17:11-19 is a verse on unity in Christ; the end of it has the verse “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” In Romans 14 Paul noted that holy days and foods are not the major items of faith, and we should still love or brother although we disagree with him. However many verses emphasize the importance of the authority of the scriptures and their being true. Scripture affecting Christian doctrine are especially important. How do we know man is a sinner and the penalty of sin is death?  Why do we need a savior? How do we know the world is not what it originally was? Unity for the believer is available in Christ, rather that by consensus of opinion. Col 2:8 says “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” In today’s world there is a reliance on authorities even in theological areas; thus many Christians check their brains at the door, relying on these authorities. The doctrine of perspicuity(clarity) of scripture is relevant here.  Martin Luther taught this as a major issue in fight for the reformation.
The doctrine of the clarity of Scripture (often called the "perspicuity of Scripture") teaches that "the meanings of the text can be clear to the ordinary reader, that God uses the text of the Bible to communicate His person and will."  "The witness of the Church throughout the ages is that ordinary people, who approach it in faith and humility, will be able to understand what the Bible is getting at, even if they meet with particular points of difficulty here and there." This doctrine is in contrast to other positions like that of the Roman Catholic Church, which asserts that Scripture is imperspicuous (unclear) apart from the interpretative framework of the Catholic church and tradition. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarity of_scripture Calvin taught that we need the aid of the Holy Spirit to interpret scripture.
This does not mean that all scriptures are easy to understand; some are more difficult than others. Genesis is classified as an historical narrative book
Chap. 11 Radiocarbon Dating- Snelling noted it is assumed that C14 has formed in the atmosphere at a relatively constant rate from cosmic rays hitting N atoms. This combines with oxygen to form CO2 with C14 in it. This is then taken up by plants and by animals. When they die not more CO2 is taken in so the C14 in them decreases; this is the basis of the dating. The ½ life of C14 is 5730 yrs, and is nearly all gone in 10 half lives of 57300 yrs. C14 is measured in an AMS instrument that needs calibration. It has been found that all supposedly ancient carbon like in coal, fossils, oil, limestone and diamonds, contains some C14-dating them at 20,700 to 55,000 yrs. Creations geologists believe, when the instruments are properly calibrated the ages would be less than 10,000 yrs. Three assumptions are used in C14 dating: 1. The rate of C14 production has always been constant. 2. The atmosphere has had the same C14 level in the past as now. 3. The biosphere has always had the same C14 levels. Snelling sates that none of these are completely true. The earth had a stronger magnetic field initially and it is declining; this meant a much lower rate of C14 formation early on due to shielding of cosmic rays. Also during the flood vast amounts of C14 were buried. These factors lead to shorter C14 ages for the bio-deposits of about 4350 yrs. dating the flood. Also many of the bio-deposits date about the same.
Chap. 12  Radioactive Dating of Rocks- Snelling Geologists use 5 radioisotopes for dating rocks:  U235, U238, K 40, Rubidium 87 and Samarium 147. They change into daughter elements of- lead 206, lead 207, argon 40, Strontium 87 and neodymium 143.  Geologists often look for samples of cooled molten rock like granites, or basalts.  Three assumptions are often used in the process of dating: 1. The conditions at time zero when the rock was formed can be known-assumed. 2. The rocks sampled have been isolated from outside interferences-weathering, ground water etc. 3. The decay rates have maintained constant throughout history. Snelling stated that all 3 assumptions may be in error. When fresh lave is radio dated it often gives false high ages of up to a million yrs. This is due to wrong assumption of the amount of daughter element at time zero. When the same rocks are dated by 4 different radioisotopes, widely varying dates result, showing the inaccuracy of the method. The main value of the method is to show relative but not absolute dates- which rock is older or younger.
Chap 13 The Shroud of Turin.- Hodge. The cloth 1st appeared in France in 1357 and has a negative image on it. It was carbon dated at 1500 yrs ago- the Middle Ages. Luke 23 does mention a linen shroud used to wrap Jesus’ body. However it would have gotten bloody and was probably removed before strips of lines were placed over him, along with a separate head cloth. This is the Jewish custom for burial. Thus was done with the initial cloth is uncertain. Forging of relics was common in Europe.
Chap. 14 Chronology Wars –Pierce noted that it was common to exaggerate lists of kings among cultures to appear the oldest. Greece’s history went back 1800 yrs, Egypt’s 11000 yrs and Babylon’s 730,000 yrs. Isaac Newton had an interest in this and studied it. “Newton explains -After Cambyses carried away the records of Egypt, the priests were daily feigning new kings, to make their gods and nation look more ancient.” This deals with the Persian invasion of Egypt in 525-32 BC, where they took the records and destroyed them. He also found the Greek history in error. Manetho constructed an Egyptian history in the 3rd Century BC. Later a Greek historian, Diodorus Siculus examined this and wrote a new reduced version of the Egyptian Kings. Newton also rejected Mantheo’s list and favored a list more in line with Diodorus. Secular historians give little weight to the Bible or its history.
Chap. 15 Has Noah’s Ark Been Found?  Hodge The bible says it landed in the mountains of Ararat, which is a range of mountains. Mt. Ararat is a large extinct volcano that is 16,854 ft; there is a little Mt Ararat at 12,782 ft. There are a number of eyewitnesses who claim to have seen the ark on the glacier slopes of Mt Ararat as noted in B J Corbin’s book.  If the volcano was formed under water and rose up during the flood, pillow lavas would be present, maybe covering the ark. There are some pillow lavas at 14,000ft; perhaps they formed after the flood. Fossils are found in the mountains of Ararat but are rare on Mt Ararat. Thus some geologists think Mt Ararat is not a good candidate. Another proposed site is Mt. Cudi at 6,880 ft in the Ararat region. Mt Cudi  is cited in Jewish references, like the Book of Jubilees and by others. It is not volcanic and has legends associated with and a landing site. It is reported the wood was taken for salvage long ago. Hodge stated Mt Cudi is a better candidate than Mt. Ararat..
Chap.16 Theophanies in the Old Testament – Chaffey Some say Christianity is a new religion(2000 yrs ago) and there are older ones that could be true. The newness of a belief does not determine its truthfulness. A theophany is an appearance of God and there are many in the Old Testament: Abraham, Jacob, Moses. At times the Angle of the Lord in the OT may have been Christ.
Chap. 17 Annihilationism and Hell- Hodge They take a position that God is to loving to punish someone in hell for eternity. So in lace of hell they chose brief hell, non existence- annihilation. They say hell is reserved for fallen angels.  The Bible supports hell as eternal punishment.
Chap. 18 Hell for Evangelism Comfort  His method of sharing the gospel uses hell.
Chap. 19 The Reformation Broggi Early leaders were  luther, Calvin Know, Bullingger, Malanchthon, Crammer and Lattimer. Luther posted his 95 Theses o the door of the Church at Wittemburg, affirming scripture and opposing some corruption the Catholic Chruch. There were 5 truths affirmed: 1.Solo scripture- scripture is primary and thebeilver can read it.; 2.Solo Gratia- grace alone for salvation not works; 3. Solo Fide Fiath aone for salvation; 4. Solus Christus- Christ alone for salvation; 5. Soli Deo Gloria- To God alone be the Glory. With the printing press this widely spread to other countries.
Chap. 20 Adam and Eve Real People Purdom Some liberal Christians and Biologos believes human originated thru evolution from a population of about 1000 in Africa. They also believe that the creation of man and the fall is allegorical. Scripture teaches the existence of a literal Adam and Eve. Other figures like Job 31:33 and Paul 1Corin. 11:8-9 and 1 Tim. 2:13-14, and Jesus Mark 10:6-8 refer to a literal Adam. Research has noted that the Mitochondrial Eve is the grand mother of us all about 200,000 yrs ago. Also the Y chromosome Adam if the great father about 1423,000 yrs ago. Assumptions are used in the age calculation, and some use assumptions that give lower ages.. Certain assumptions also go into the 10,000 initial population estimate. Different assumptions by scientists are consistent with 2 people forming the human race.
Chap. 21 The Missing Old Testament Books. Edwards The 22 books of the OT were divided into 39 in more recent versions. Ezra at about 400 BC. accepted these books as sacred.  Some books noted in the OT but not considered scripture are as follows: Book of Jasher, Book of Wars of the Lord, Chronicles of the Kings of Judah, Book of Acts of Solomon, Chronicles of King David, Records of  Nathan the Prophet, Records of Gad the seer, Prophecy of Ahijah, visions of Iddo the seer. The Apocrypha are a group of books after Malachi and before the NT.: Prayer of Jeremiah, 1st  and 2nd Esdras, Tobit, Judith, book of Ester extended. Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus(Sirach), Baruch, The song of the three Holy Children, the History of Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, Prayer of Manasses, and Maccabees. In early bibles some of the Apocrypha were included in early bibles and in the Catholic bible as lesser books. Praying forhte dead was noted in Maccabees and in Baruch. Some other books are the Book of Enoch and ehe Sibylline Oracles. The Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Hebrew OT done I the 3rd century BC. It has no Apocrypha. See Wikipedia below.

Intertestamental books http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Books_of_the_Bible

The intertestamental books, largely written during the intertestamental period, are called the Biblical apocrypha ("hidden things") by Protestants, the deuterocanon ("second canon") by Catholics, and the deuterocanon or anagignoskomena ("worthy of reading") by Orthodox. These are works recognized by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox Churches as being part of scripture (and thus deuterocanonical rather than apocryphal), but Protestants do not recognize them as divinely inspired. Many other Christians recognize them as good, but not on the level of the other books of the Bible. Anglicanism considers the apocrypha to be "read for example of life" but not used "to establish any doctrine".[6] Luther made a parallel statement in calling them: "not considered equal to the Holy Scriptures, but are useful and good to read."[7]
The difference in canons derives from the difference in the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint. Books found in both the Hebrew and the Greek are accepted by all denominations, and by Jews, these are the protocanonical books. Catholics and Orthodox also accept those books present in manuscripts of the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament with great currency among the Jews of the ancient world, with the coda that Catholics consider 3 Esdras and 3 Maccabees apocryphal.
Most quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament, differing by varying degrees from the Masoretic Text, are taken from the Septuagint. When the Jews closed the Old Testament canon, two criteria were used, that the book be written in Hebrew or Aramaic, and that it be no younger than the time of Ezra. This process led to the 24/39 books of the Tanakh and Old Testament (even though Daniel was written several hundred years after the time of Ezra, and since that time several books of the Septuagint have been found in the original Hebrew, in the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Cairo Geniza, and at Masada, including a Hebrew text of Sirach (Qumran, Masada) and an Aramaic text of Tobit (Qumran); the additions to Esther and Daniel are also in their respective Semitic languages. The unanimous consensus of modern (and ancient) scholars consider several other books, including 1 Maccabees and Judith, to have been composed in Hebrew or Aramaic. Opinion is divided on the book of Baruch, while it is acknowledged that the Epistle of Jeremiah, the Wisdom of Solomon, and 2 Maccabees are originally Greek compositions.
Additional books accepted by the Eastern Orthodox:
Additional books accepted by the Syrian Orthodox (due to inclusion in the Peshitta):
  • 2 Baruch with the Letter of Baruch (only the letter has achieved canonical status)
  • Psalms 152-155 (not canonical)
The Ethiopian Tewahedo church accepts all of the deuterocanonical books of Catholicism and anagignoskomena of Eastern Orthodoxy except for the four Books of Maccabees.[10] It accepts the 24/39 books of the Masoretic Text along with the following books, called the "narrow canon".[11] The enumeration of books in the Ethiopic Bible varies greatly between different authorities and printings.[12]
Chap. 22 the Missing New Testament Books Edwards The Gnostics had widespread heresies: Marcion, Vlentinus, Basilides, Carpocrates and Marcus. Books: The Gospel of Truth, the Gospel of Thomas, The Gospel of Philip,
Some False Gospels: The Gospel of Judas, The Infancy Gospel of Thomas, the Arabic Gospel fo the Infancy, The Gospel of the Pseudo Matthew, The Gospel of Peter, the Secret Gospel of Mark. The Nag Hammadi Libray was formed from old writings found in this city in 1945. The Gnostic ones are note above and in addition there is of note- The Gospel of Mary, The Gospel of the Egyptians, the Apocryphon of James, and others. The History of Joseph the Carpenter supports the Catholic doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary. Mohammed was more familiar with some of these false gospels than the 4 true gospels. Some good books include The Didache, The Esistle of Barnabus and the Shepherd of Hermas. All of these lack the ring of truth of the accepted NT books.

Chap. 23 Has the Bible text been changed over the yrs? Rhodes Is. 40:8 The word of God stands forever. 1 Pet. !:25, Mark.13:31 there are 5686 partial and compete manuscript copies of the NT. The copying errors in them are very minor. Compared to other historical writings is has many more copies and is well preserved. There are four families of manuscripts: Alexandrian, Western, Caesarean and Byzantine.  The Dead Sea Scrolls found in 1947 were are great confirmation, some dating to 1-3rd century BC.
Chap.28 Giants in the Old Testament Chaffey  The OT makes reference to many of these. There is not good skeleton evidence of these. There is evidence of many animal species that have giants; 23 are listed. There have been non-biblical reports of giants. We do know of some recent tall men: Robert Wadlow was 8ft 11 in. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Wadlow
Chap. 29 the 10 Plagues of Egypt -Fazekas  This is note noted in Egyptian history because they removed embarrassing episodes. One example is the battle of Kadesh with the Hittites who defeated Egypt; this was put in their history as a victory. The 10 plagues were blood, frogs, lice, flies, murrain cattle disease. Boils, hail, locusts, darkness and death.  There are 3 ways people view this: 1. total denial, 2 affirm with natural explanation, and 3. credit God for the supernatural miracle. The miracles have 5 characteristics: 1. intensification, 2 Advance prediction, 3. Discrimination-only in selected areas with Jews favored, orderliness, 5 moral purpose. Ref. Sparks, B “ Red Algae Theories of the Ten Plagues: Contradicted by Science” Bible and Spade 16 # 3 2003 ; 17 #1 2004.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Book Review: The Christian the Court and the Constitution by Sekulow

Sekulow, J. A. The Christian the Court and the Constitution, ACLJ http://www.aclj.org/ 2000  The ACLJ=Amer. Center for  Law and Justice: Pro-life, pro-family, pro-liberty; Virginia Beach
By focusing on U.S. constitutional law, European Union law and human rights law, the ACLJ and its affiliated organizations are dedicated to the concept that freedom and liberty are universal, God-given and inalienable rights that must be protected. Jay Sekulow is Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), one of the most prestigious law firms in the country. He is an accomplished Supreme Court advocate, renowned expert on religious liberty, and a respected broadcaster.”
Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow arguing a case at the Supreme Court
Jay Sekulow is an attorney with a passion for protecting religious liberty - freedom - democracy. For nearly a quarter of a century, he's been on the front lines - working to protect religious and constitutional freedoms in the courts, in Congress, and in the public arena.
A book review follows: He noted that Isa. 53 is good for witnessing to Jews.p.11 Jews for Jesus influenced him. He won his first supreme court case on the witnessing in the LA airport.p.16 Section 2 Chap.1 We may give out tracks and witness in public places: streets, sidewalks, parks, airports bus and train stations; this is protected 1st amendment free speech. Handing out free tracks is not soliciting; soliciting is selling something for money.p20-22 Loitering means you do have not legitimate purpose. Chap. 2. Lamb’s Chapel and the Use of Public Facilities. An evangelical church applied to rent a school facility during nonschool hrs for a movie series by James Dobson- Focus on the Family and was denied by the school, although it was available to other groups. The Supreme Court overturned this. Now this can apply to public buildings that are used for groups. Procedures; Apply to use a Gov. bldg., if denied, write a letter citing Lamb’s chapel decision. Chap. 3 Picketing and Demonstrating:p.30 You may express opposition near an abortion center with signs and literature, when standing on public streets and sidewalks.  You may not block or obstruct traffic, or make excessive noise in a neighborhood.  When planning a march  or demonstration with a substantial number of people  you may have to apply for a permit.p.32 Leafleting is different the solicitation. Chap. 4. Nat. Day of Prayer. Public places may be used for this if they have also been used for art and craft fairs, political events, etc. Chap.5. Public Nativities: p.36 are permitted in public areas in some cases. Chap. 6. Removing Pornography. p. 40 Picketing and distributing literature and even taking pictures is allowed on public sidewalks. You may apply to the city council for an ordinance against them within certain distances from churches and schools. Zoning out or certain areas is also possible. See study data on effects of them. You may write a letter to business management.
Section 3 Chap. 1. Students’ rights of free speech: P.45  Students can witness, and hand out tracts in school, but not disturb a class doing it.(in a hallway, cafeteria, or school yard) They can have bible clubs, carry a bible, and pray.  See Mergens case. The constitution never mentions the words ‘separation of church and state’; What is prohibited is school sponsored church activities by school officials, but not by students. In the Mergens case even schools fund may be used for a bible club if also used for other clubs. A bible club can advertize on campus. Chap. 2.  Graduation prayer and talks: p.55 Prayers and talks are allowed by students; they should be more generic and not offensive. Inviting prayer by a clergy may be a problem. P59 Students could pray at the flag pole on a special occasion; the nat. day of prayer. Moment of silence is also allowed. Holiday observances: Christmas cards are allowed, and students can say Merry Christmas. Choir hymns are allowed in the context of cultural advancement.p63 Chap.3 Opting out of objectionable classes: p66 Parents may exempt children from experimental or values related curriculum(Hatch Amendment-Pupils rights). This includes occult teaching, visualizing and meditations.  Sex Edu. should tell of abstinence not just birth control or favor homosexuality.  Amorality can’t be favored.  Parents can monitor classes. Section 4. Pres. Clinton directed school super.: Students have right to pray, express their faith. The Equal Access Act affirmed Bible Club at school if other clubs are allowed. Students can pray and have p. 77 discussions in cafeteria, and hallways; before and after school events, flag pole. They can express beliefs in the assigned school work if relevant. Can distribute literature, school may regulate the time and place. School can teach values. Section 5. Rights in the Workplace: p 79 Title 7 To qualify: 1. Have religious belief, 2. Inform the employer in writing, 3. Was discharged or disciplined.  You can share gospel with coworkers at work; have Bible on desk; have; some religious holidays off; speak or act in a way that violated religion. Private business can have religious prayers, literature, business ethics trg., can do witnessing. etc.p91,96  Gov. employees have more rights by constitution.p94 Title 7 applies to business with 15 or more employees, must fine in 180 days to EEO /separation of church and state is not I Constit.p.94 Section 6. Changing Local Laws: P105  The 1st approach is usually to local school boards or City councils. You must have a well prepared case, have some support and an attorney is good. You can let the news know.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Ham K.& S. Raising Godly Children in and Ungodly World

Ham K.& S. Raising Godly Children in and Ungodly World, Master Books, Green Forest Ak. 2008   Chap. 1 K. Ham noted that his parents set a godly example and upheld scripture in and ungodly country Australia. He raises the question of what legacy will you leave? Col. 3:23, Luke 6:40 “A pupil is not above his teacher, but after he has been trained, will be like his teacher.” The number of Born again Christian’s there is only about 1-2 % and those that attend church about 5-7%. In Darwin’s book the Descent of Man he noted the link between apes and man. In Columbine HS one of the killers wore a tea shirt saying natural selection. He noted that C. Sagan cited and article on the fraudulent embryonic recapitulation promoted by E. Haeckel false embryo diagrams in 4/22, 1990 Parade mag.  Although America has been noted as a Christian nation, 90% of our children attend public schools. 70% of the students walk away from the church after HS. P 30  Teachers complain that student lack politeness and respect. Also surveys showed that only 9% of teens who are classified as born again, believe in absolute moral truth. Ham’s father struggled with not being able to square scripture with science; nevertheless he held scripture was correct. “Even if we can’t find an answer to explain why the secular idea is wrong, we need to continue to search and wait for the answer.” Job. 38:4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.” Ps. 147:5 “Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.” Prov. 2:3-6 “For the Lord gives wisdom; From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”  Ham says the AIG ministry is itself a memorial to my parents and the legacy they began. P37 Ref. noted: Bahnsen, G. Always Ready, 2004; Edwards, B. Nothing but the Truth, 2006 Chap. 2 S. Ham If all we has was the word: p. His Dad read the word, believed it, defended it, lived it, taught it. Back then the bible was there main resource not psychology or child raising books. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 All scripture is God breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Tim. 4:2; 3:14-15.   J. MacArthur book Our Sufficiency in Christ, noted that Christian psychology is an oxymoron; Psychology is fundamentally humanistic; They use secular theory and add a few Bible verses to support it. The goal of scripture is sanctification as in Rom. 12:2 be transformed by the renewing of your minds.
Chap. 3 The theologian in each of us. 2 Tim. 2:15 Handles the word of truth. They hold to 2 points: 1. God’s word is sufficient for raising children.  2. The defense of the authority of scriptures is key.  Anyone who studies and applies the scriptures dutifully is a theologian. 2 biblical concepts: 1. The bible as and axiom: a self evident recognized truth. 2. The bible should be read in an exegetical manner. The root word of axiom is axel. It is the central point about which things rotate. It should be the central point about which our beliefs and convictions revolve.  Gen. 1-3 answers the question- Why is there death and suffering in the world? Theology isn’t a theory; it reflects truths that have great practical significance in day to day life.  Exegesis means out of – the process of bringing forth truth from scripture. It usually favors a straight forward reading of scripture, but takes grammatical and historical factors into account. A second method is Eisegesis reading into-here data external to scripture is used to aid in interpreting it.  This is discussed in K. Ham Six Days and the Eisegesis Problem.  Also see G. Goldsworthy According to Plan.  The many miracles do not fit with strict science and naturalism. Nevertheless they are central to the Christian faith. 1 Cor. 15:12-17, 1-2  if one can’t take Gen. 1-8 as historical, then why should we take other historical narratives in the bible being true?  The bible gives us the big picture of history, but is not exhaustive in astronomy, biology and geology.  The fall, the flood and the Babel dispersion are certainly true. Ham, K. One Blood: The Biblical Answer to Racism.
Chap. 4. Godly Generations: Ham gives the example of a group of modern people in Australia left for jungle life to pursue simple existence and shed worldly constraints. In one generation they were primitive and shed much or society’s knowledge. When Europeans discovered the Aborigines they were also considered primitive; however they descended from Noah and had flood legends with some similarities to the bible.  Ham’s son Canaan also was probably not well taught by Ham and had serious problems. Noah said cursed be Canaan, Gen. 9:25; these are the people of Sodom, and Gomorrah.  The books of Kings and Chronicles tell of generational problems and ungodly kings. Solomon’s compromise began with allowing foreign wives to worship pagan Gods. These pagan influences then infiltrated the people, 1Kings 11:1-4.  Solomon’s son Rehoboam continued making compromises and allowed idol worship. Then King Asa made the idolatry worse in 2 generations, 1 Kings 15:11-15. Later King Josiah rediscovered God’s word and tried to correct many of the problems, 2 Kings. A deviation from commitment to God’s word inevitably leads to problems. Thus there is a compelling reason to maintain God’s word and teaching in families to raise godly generations.  Ken made a commitment to pass the word of god on to further generation at age 10 during a missionary program. His future wife Mally also did so at another location. They met at a church service in Jan. 1971 and were married in Dec. 1972. They had their first child Nathan in 1976 and tried to continue the godly training of their child. Ken was a Christian HS teacher. The family is the backbone of a Christian nation.p 79 Mat. 19:4-5 refers back to Gen. as the basis of marriage. Obviously Jesus would not quote a myth as the basis of marriage. Mark. 10:6-7 He arrived in the US in 1986. Malachi 2:15 that he might seek godly seed. Thus one of the purposes of marriage is godly offspring.  What does God say about training of children? In talks he as asked the audience to write this down, but they have difficulty. We get so much advice from other sources. TV has aired more obscene programs and lowered biblical values. Prov. 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Priority pictures: which will last forever? Which can be taken to heaven?  Not animals Ecc. 3:21 Eternal values: Phil 3:7-8; Mark 8:36-7; Mat. 6:19-21 Treasures in heaven.p85 Conclusions: 1. a legacy can be lost in one generation, 2. The family is fundamental and allows godly offspring. 3. The consequences of an ungodly or godly legacy left are very great. 4. We need to put high priority on training up godly children.
Chap. 5. God has no grandchildren. P 91 Every child must eventually decide for himself. To raise godly children you must first have a personal relationship with Jesus. J. McDowell Beyond Belief to Conviction.  This is the most important priority for your child’s life.  The parent does set an example, a passion for Jesus. Mat. 3: 1-10 John the Baptist rebuked the Pharisees – they said they were sons of Abraham- salvation does not come from your lineage. Rom. 8:14-7 our lineage is in Christ. Mat. 5:9 Peacemakers shall be called sons of God. We need to be at peace with God, not like the worlds peace which is tolerance. Tolerance of Islam, homosexuality, sin, etc. The family should be salt and light to the world. Gal. 2:19-20; 4:4-6 2 Cor. 5:17; 1Cor. 3:16-7; Rom. 8:1-2.
Chap. 6 Diligent Dads: p 103 Three Factors: Compelling Conviction to raise a godly generation, personal relationship with Christ, Clear understanding of your roles and responsibilities. God has a special plan for you. Isa. 38:19 the father to the children shall make known thy truth. Eph. 6:4 Fathers--bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ps.78 Fathers, teach your children so they’ll not forget to teach their children. We do have a problem forgetting God and his message. Josh. 4:1-9 12 stones; Judges 2:10-13 The generation after Joshua lost their legacy.  US role reversal: the mother often trains the children; the father neglects his spiritual role. Fathers do not often read the bible with or pray with their kids. There is a trend of homosexual behavior with lack of male leadership in the home. What’s needed: 1. Pray with your wife, 2. Pray with your kids especially at bed time, 3.Study the bible in family view and read some to them. 4. Go to church and get plugged in.
Chap. 7. A Girl named Ruth. p.115  Ruth was loyal to her mother in law Naomi. Ken noted how his wife Mally has been very committed in supporting him, the ministry and family. The role of a Godly mom is in Gen. A helper for Man. Prov. 31:10-31 An excellent wife is worth more than jewels. She is a woman of character, integrity, and action. She can advise her husband as she knows him well. The old saying is true: Behind every good man is good woman. See Tim. 2:3-5; Eph. 5:22-28; 1 Pet. 2:21-3:7; Eph 5:25 Both husband and wife are called to model their lives after Christ. In real life we have orphans, foster kids, divorce, and single parents, role reversal.
Chap. 8. Creating the Environ. of Sanctification. Unless the Lord builds the House, they labor in vain who build the house. Ps. 127:1There is a time for everything. Ecc. 3:1-2 Sanctification begins by communicating both the content and authority of the Bible. Heb. 4;1-2; 1 Tim. 1:3-7; 2 Pet. 1:19-20 For children to have a strong faith, they need to be taught that the content of scripture is real, not just symbolic or illustrative. Some churches teach bible stories as being symbolic and myth like.  An example is Noah’s ark as a rounded stuffed boat with the animal heads sticking out. This boat would surly sink in a flood. The world holds it is an obvious fable.  We must distinguish between the real and the Easter bunny and Santa Claus.  Books: Leading little ones to God.; A faith to Grow on by J. MacArthur; A Family Portrait by C. Catherwood
Chap. 9 Welcome to the War. P.151 1Pet. 1:8-9 The family is under attack. The culture promotes premarital sex, abortion, homosexuality, gay marriage and easy divorce. There is no such thing as absolute truth or morality. As in Jn. 10:10 Three ways:1. secular humanism 2. peer pressure, 3. compromise. Only 1/9 of born again Christians believe in absolute moral truth.  The public schools have a big secular influence. 1 Cor. 15:33 “Bad company corrupts good character” The bad in a group will influence more than a good, in worldly and school settings.  Loot at Lot in Gen. 18,19 The bad brought Lot’s relatives down. Jer. 10:2 Even in a Christian environment this can be true. Compromise occurs by Christians who do not see God’s word as infallible. This opens the door of a slippery slope to all kinds of weakening: history, morals, miracles, gay clergy, sex before marriage, recreational free sex.  Darwin’s evolution grew out of naturalism as in The Turning Point by T. Mortenson. A Christian college can be more destructive than a secular college; The cc may offer a lot of compromise as truth; the basis of this is largely secular. At a sc you expect secular challenge.  Ps. 11:3 If the foundation if a structure is weakened, the whole structure can collapse. When this compromise of the word’s authority occurs, the structure can fall. Examples: Jud. 17:6 Rev. 3:15-6; Feeding of the 5000, 4000 were 2 events as in Mat. 16:9 (Mat. 15, 16)  Mat. 7:13-14 narrow is the way of the gate and broad of destruction. Often we must go the opposite direction of the crowd, against peer pressure. Ham The War of World Views 2006; Answers Academy 13 session course by AIG
Chap. 10 Vegemite kids p.171 Vegemite is an Australian topping that takes getting used to.  The authority of the bible must also be taught early. 2 Tim. 3:14-15 Three options for schooling: 1. Public Education (90% send the kids) 2. private Christian schools, 3. home schooling.  He favors option 3 or 2.  Christian schools must be carefully observed, as they have varying teachings. Home schooling is growing and more networking is available. M. Luther recommended Christian edu.(p.174)  In secular schools the secular indoctrination is great and the peer pressure.  However bible clubs are generally allowed.  The Salt Argument: Mat. 5:13 You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt looses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything. A person can’t be salt unless they have salt, and some good arguments and grounding in Christ. There will be the pressures of no moral absolutes, pre marital sex, and false religions. Some parents and their children have little salt to begin with; the little they have is then contaminated and diluted is secular schools. Many say I have got good kids and psychologists confirm it.  However we all have a sinful nature and none of us are good enough to resist all temptation. Maturity comes with training, discipline, and renewing the mind according to scripture.  Children are immature and often unable to distinguish good from evil on some issues or situations. Eph.4:14; 1 Cor. 13:11 They are easily led astray in a pagan world.  Even adults can be led astray. We, even if away working, have responsibility to monitor our child’s development, teach biblical truth, and monitor the child’s friends. Resources: http://www.gocampus.com/ , http://www.aclj.org/ , www.chirstianlaw.org , http://www.thehomeshchoolmagazine.com/, book; Starting a Campus Club, http://www.youth.ag.org/
Chap. 11 Submission, Discipline, and Nutrition: p.189 Post modernism teaches relative truth: If it is right for you, it must be right. Tolerance is also the buss word. Extreme tolerance leads to lawlessness. With tolerance most behavior is promoted as long as it is not harmful to the community.  We should tolerate persons of differing beliefs but we do not need to agree with or say nothing of the beliefs. Deut. 5:16 gave a command of honoring Father and mother with a reward. Eph. 6:1-4  Parents need to provide godly examples and teaching and submit to God as children to their parents. Heb. 12:5-11 on Christian discipline.  Steven suggests spanking is Ok if done with explanation, love and a hug after. p197 Nutrition: The word of God is food, and we need to be fed frequently (Deut 8:3; 1Pet. 2:2) We are not to exasperate our children, by confusing, abusing or aggravating them. Discipline is an important factor in parenting. It is a tool that aids honor and respect. Love and forgiveness is part of the process. Discipline: Prov. 13:24; 22:15; 29: 15; 13:24; 19:18.
Chap. 12 The Family Fortress: p.211Ps. 127:1-5 Unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain.-  Behold children are gifts from God. Ps. 33:16-18 God the protector.  Jn. 10:10 I am all you need. Ps. 113 children are of the Lord. Prov. 27:11  Be wise my son. Prayer for our children is important p224 1 Thes. 5:17 pray without ceasing. Ps. 139:13  You knit me together in my mothers womb.
Epilog: the Revelation of a legacy p.229 They tell of the passing of their father in 1995 and what a legacy he left.  He also built a small ark. Poem p 234. b 1951

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Answers Book for Teens AB4T by B. Hodge; T. Mitchell; K. Ham, Masters Books 2011

The AB4T is briefly revied below:
This is a question and answer book with 15 chapter questions and 96 pgs. The 1st question is on the truth of the Bible and the 2nd on why there is pain and suffering. It can be useful for answering witnessing questions to non-believers. It is illustrated with some pictures. It covers some of the typical questions found in more detail in the Answers Book series for adults. However it has some unique questions: A chapter on sex, one Homosexuality and one on what actions Christian students can do in school. The student is generally free to mention his beliefs and even hand out tracts as long as it is not disruptive. Bible clubs in school free time are generally allowed. The book would be suitable for a teen church school class.