Evolution has been defined as a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler state to a higher, more complex one. The process of human evolution is a theory that our origin is in preexisting types of life forms, and that the distinguishable differences are due to modifications in successive generations, from simpler to more complex. While there are many who insist on this theory as the accepted view of our origins, more and more scientists are acknowledging its fallacies, and are advocating the need for intelligent design. Evolution is circular reasoning, assuming as true the very tenets that it seeks to authenticate. Even its dating procedures, which sound so authoritative, are based on evolutionary models. This explains why so much of the dating of evolutionary discoveries is so ancient. “Give it enough time,” it is reasoned, “and it will happen.” Biases aside, there are real problems with evolution. In biochemist Michael Behe’s book, Darwin’s Black Box, it is demonstrated how many cellular systems are “irreducibly complex” at the molecular level, and as such could not have come about by the gradual step by step processes of evolution, by mutation and natural selection. In order to evolve, multiple systems would have to arise simultaneously, and the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to effectively cease functioning. In his Origin of the Species, Charles Darwin said, “If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my …

Some may wonder what all the fuss is about. Others may not be interested in it at all. Still, some might want to understand better and possibly may even read a little to educate themselves. Growing up, I was always strongly “encouraged” to have respect for those who were older. I can still hear my mother’s voice telling me, “Respect your elders!” As we get older, we can try to do all within our power to slow down the aging process, but ultimately the signs of time spent in the physical body will be clearly recognizable. One of the ways we can distinguish the older from younger is the shade of their hair. While many ladies may take advantage of hair coloring products, most men will allow the shades of gray to gradually invade their head until there is no more hair to consume. For some, gray hair comes at a very young age and may not be a sign of their maturity or age at all, but for most, the shades of gray change with the years until one is considered a senior or “seasoned” citizen. As we study the very important subject of the leadership of the church or the God-given office of elders, it is imperative and vital to the church that both men and women take special notice of their lives and goals of serving the Lord in His church. The proverb writer penned, “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found …

The most important question ever asked was posed several times by different people in the New Testament Book of Acts. Each situation was somewhat different from the others. Each time the question was asked, the situation or the status of the querist was different from the others. Because of this, the answer is a little different each time. What is this all-important question? We ask some important questions in our lives. For example, when a man has found his chosen mate for life, he asks, “Will you marry me?” That’s an important question! What could be a more important question? You must surely be holding your breath for the answer. Well, here it is! The most important question: “What must I do?” A heathen jailer in Philippi asked the apostle Paul what to do to be saved (Acts 16:30). The jailer was told to believe on the Lord. “And they spake the word of the Lord unto him…” that he might know what to believe and how to believe on the Lord (Acts 16:31-32; Romans 10:17). He showed penitence by his actions (he washed their stripes) and was baptized (Acts 16:33). Obviously, part of the teaching he received included the necessity of baptism. Another time when the church or kingdom had just begun, devout Jews were convinced by the preaching of the Gospel that Jesus of Nazareth was both Lord and Christ –  the Anointed One (Acts 2:36). They had called for the crucifixion of the Son of God, a most …

When I go shopping for groceries, I am always on the lookout for the best deal. It is true that while one store may have better prices on their meat, another store may have better priced bread. Yes, I have driven twenty-five miles in order to save five cents a gallon on gas. In fact, I admit that I have gone to Sam’s and bought the value packs because of the better unit price. (Then all I have to do is figure out where to keep my twenty cans of shaving cream or one hundred rolls of toilet paper!) This is a good practice when shopping for groceries, but it can be very dangerous when this approach is used in religious matters. Too many Christians ‘shop’ their religion around by taking the ‘good stuff’ and then try to leave behind what they see as ‘bad deals.’ Every one of us loves the positives of Christianity, such as having Christ as our Savior, the comfort of heaven and the doctrine of grace. However, many cringe at the other end of the deal, which includes the warning of hell, self-sacrifice and enduring persecution. The majority of Christians I know take a stand against the use of instrumental music in the worship service, but then not quite as many take a stand against the worldly influences of dirty television programs or fellowship with denominational influences. Too often Christians defend their actions by saying, “My church says it’s wrong,” instead of saying, “I can’t …

Paul’s one consuming desire was to have Christ enlarged, even if his own body and life were lost. Magnify means to make or declare great, increase. It is used in the following passages: Matthew 23:5; Acts 19:17; Luke 1:58. I want to look into this text and challenge us in living lives that magnify Christ. Therefore, how can you and I live lives that magnify Christ? Christ is worthy of being Magnified! Notice the following passages: Revelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 5:12, “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease!” Why is Christ worthy of being Magnified? Certainly there are reasons given within God’s Word to indicate why Christ should be magnified by New Testament Christians (cf. 1 Peter 2:5-10, especially vs. 9-10). We have been called out of darkness into his marvelous light (Colossians 1:13). We who were once not a people, are now a people (Ephesians 2:14-18). We who had not obtained mercy now have obtained mercy (1 Peter 1:3). How Paul Magnified Christ! Paul’s desire was to ― magnify Christ in my body, whether by life or by death (cf. Philippians 1:12-26). Some of the following was gleaned from Wiersbe. Paul’s Chains (1:12-14). Because of Paul’s chains, Christ was known (1:13). The same …

Sometimes questions arise as to whether it is scripturally necessary, or even scripturally permissible, to “place membership” with a congregation. A modern brother or sister may raise the objection, “I’m a member of the church of Christ, and that’s good enough for me.” What this person means is, “I am a member of the universal church of Christ, but I have no interest in serving in a local congregation.” Others seem to believe that placing membership is a denominational concept, rather than a scriptural concept. However, the term simply means to identify oneself with a local congregation with which he was not previously identified. This is done when a Christian has to leave his former congregation, either due to moving or similar circumstances, or due to doctrinal or practical error that has overtaken one’s former congregation. Please consider a few reasons why it is both scripturally permissible and scripturally necessary to place membership with a faithful church of Christ after leaving another. (1) In the New Testament, each first-century Christian is understood to be a member of a particular congregation. The New Testament does speak of the universal church of Christ, into which the Lord adds the saved when they are baptized (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:23). However, far and away the New Testament most often uses “church” to refer to the local congregation (Acts 14:27; 20:17; Romans 16:1, 23a). Paul wrote “to the saints which are at Ephesus” (Ephesians 1:1). Here it is expressed that he wrote to “saints” …

When children are small, we often see one of them eagerly desiring to play with or have a toy just like his playmates, and oftentimes, this desire turns into an argument or a tumble. Often we see a teenage boy who wants “wheels” just like those his friends have. A teenage girl may really want to have a date with her best friend’s beau. A woman may want a beautiful house just like her neighbor’s. A man would truly love to have a fancy motorcycle just like a coworker has. The scenario goes on! You know the story. What makes people desire what others have? Is it human nature to want something as good as or better than what others have? Can a person do anything about those desires? Let’s examine God’s teaching on “covetousness.” Covet means “to desire selfishly and eagerly something that belongs to another.” Covetousness is defined as “greed.” Covetously means “with a strong or inordinate desire to obtain and possess.” The word “inordinate” itself means “much too great; excessive, unrestrained.” We can all readily see that the definitions of these words are certainly not to be part of a Christian’s life. The first clue we have is that to covet is to selfishly want something that someone else has. This is far removed from the servant-hood commanded for Christians as Christ taught: “Whosoever of you would be first among you shall be servant of all for even the Son of man did not come to be …

I want to commend the sentiments of the country song, “I Saw God Today.” This particular song (sung by George Strait) tells the story of a man who stops to notice a flower that has managed to come out of the concrete of a sidewalk. He later sees a man and woman walking hand-in-hand. He notices the certain glow in the woman, and can see that she is beginning to show with child. Then, he goes back up and presses his nose against the glass of the nursery and sees his little, newborn girl. He calls her a “miracle.” Throughout the song he clearly states that he reads the Book and goes to church, but that he often forgets to remember that God is there. I know that the birth of a child is not a “miracle” in the biblical sense, but it should never cease to amaze us, and to make us so very thankful for what God has created in nature. Further, it is not the case that all of nature is God, as some would say. Yet, the fact is that the composer of this song has a very accurate idea in mind. We live and walk around every day without noticing all of those things that cry out that they have been fashioned by the everlasting love, kindness and power of God. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” While we cannot know God’s true nature and will except through …

What does the Bible teach about the church of Christ? For the purpose of this article, we will address the importance of the Lord Jesus Christ and His relationship to His church. We will do so by asking and answering six questions from the New Testament. First, who built the church? Jesus said, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18 NKJV). He also referred to the church as the “kingdom” (Matthew 16:19). Metaphorically, Jesus promised to found or establish His church or kingdom. He promised to do so within the lifetimes of some of those who heard His promise (Matthew 16:28). Moreover, they would see the kingdom “present with power” (Mark 9:1). Death itself could not prevent Jesus from fulfilling His promise. Christ resurrected to establish His church, which was present with miraculous power on the day of Pentecost, in the city of Jerusalem (Acts 2:1ff). Second, who adds people to the church? Luke wrote, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). On the day of Pentecost, in the city of Jerusalem, the apostle Peter preached the Gospel of Christ. Peter quoted Joel as saying that “whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). After learning of their condemnation, the Jews asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter answered, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). He continued …

Anyone who reads the newspaper or views television knows that things in our world seem to be a mess. The Bible says, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We know that many live in darkness outside of Christ (John 3:19). There is turmoil on every hand: war, crime, immorality – you name it! There was a group of people that lived in the same conditions at one time. They were called Gentiles. They were without God, without Christ and had no hope (Ephesians 2:11-12), but all that changed with the death of Christ. The writer of Ephesians said, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). There is hope! There is hope for the world! More importantly, there is hope for you! Christ is the answer. Read the following: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:1). Christ is our hope. He is the answer. Paul later wrote that he knew in whom he had believed and was persuaded that Christ was able to keep that which he had committed (2 Timothy 1:12). Will you put your hope in Christ? Will you follow Him? Got problems? Marriage going bad? Children rebellious? Not enough money to pay your bills? Search the Scriptures (John 5:39). Christ is our hope. He is the answer.

In today’s news, one hears much about what is called “same-sex” marriages. What is promoted by such is a man married to a man or a woman married to a woman. What about such marriages? Are they approved of God? In discussing such issues, many want to leave God out of the picture. Some are more concerned about the feelings and the thinking of man than the will of God. As we turn to the Bible, we can see, understand and know how God feels about so-called “same-sex” marriages. The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female. And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are not more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matthew 19:3-6) Concerning marriage, God from the beginning ordained that it was to be male and female to be joined together. In Genesis 2:18, we read that God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” What was it that God gave to man to be his help meet? Was it some animal? No! Was it …

How often have you heard one praying for a sick person say something like this, “Bless the hands that wait on him or her, and the means being used for their recovery,” but somehow seemed unwilling to say, “Cure their disease.” Of course, with my aversion to the claims of so-called “faith-healers” who give glowing testimonies of how they know of someone who was cured of almost anything they could imagine, I can understand our skirting around anything that might make us sound somewhat unorthodox. However, having long since passed the point where merely “sounding orthodox” unduly concerns me, I would like to suggest that we pray for the things about which we are concerned. I do thank God for the “hands that minister,” but ordinarily I am not really as concerned about them at that moment as I am with the particular person to whom they are ministering. So why not say so? I am not nearly as concerned with God blessing the knife that does the surgery (whatever that means) as I am with His blessing the person who is having the tumor removed. It is also slightly disturbing for me to continue hearing persons say, “Forgive us of our many mistakes and shortcomings,” without ever mentioning “our sins.” God can overlook our mistakes, but our sins have to be forgiven through the merits of the blood of our loving Lord, or we are lost forever! Surely, when we say, in reference to a sick person, “Nevertheless, thy will be done,” we are trying to echo …

In our preadolescent years, we may begin planning for the future. These thoughts may be stimulated by questions often asked like, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” So, our minds are intrigued by the questions of a lifetime pertaining to one’s interests and pursuits: “Where will I live?” “What will I do?” “What will I be?” The early years of our youth are formative. Our eyes begin to open up to the world around us, and we see things in a different light. We begin to develop core values we will carry with us into adolescence, adulthood and throughout life. Let’s make a spiritual application to these important questions. Where will I live? Regardless of where I live, physically speaking, I will live my life “in Christ” since this is the only place where one can truly live and grasp the true meaning of life. Jesus came to bless my life with the intention of enabling me to experience “abundant living” (John 10:10). “In him” is life (John 1:4). He is the personification of love, light, truth and life. He announced, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). I will live all my days being faithful to the one with whom I have entered this spiritual covenant. What will I be? Regardless of what I become, professionally speaking, I will be “a Christian.” It is the highest honor for me to wear the …

The field of study relating to the positive defense of the Christian faith and the refutation of unbelief is apologetics. The word is derived from the Greek word apologia. It is rendered “defense” (NKJV) and “answer” (KJV) in a relevant passage in 1 Peter. Peter wrote, “…[A]lways be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in you…” (3:15). Brown says, “…[A]pologetics is the working out and presentation of intellectual, scientific and philosophical arguments…” (51). Rogers and Rogers state, “The word was often used of the argument for the defense in a court of law… can also mean an informal explanation or defense of one’s position” (575). Such entails a logical (correctly reasoned) defense. Apologetics is also called Christian Evidences because it involves the study of the evidence that provides the foundation for the case for Christianity. Apologetics (Christian evidences) is concerned with the evidence for (1) the existence of God, (2) the inspiration of the Bible and (3) the deity of Jesus of Nazareth, and areas of study that relate to these crucial doctrines. The word “evangelism” is derived from a family of Greek words (cf. Brown 107). Euangelizo is to bring or announce good news, or proclaim and preach the same. Euangelizomai is to proclaim or preach glad tidings. Euangelistes is the proclaimer of the Gospel (good news), the evangelist. In a definitive volume on evangelism, Michael Green wrote: THE ENTHUSIASM TO evangelize which marked the early Christians is one of the most remarkable things in the history of religions. …

One of the results of the concern over the emission of greenhouse gases and the impact on the environment is a measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) called the carbon footprint. This is the measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide released into the environment by the daily activities of individuals, institutions, and businesses. Nature.org provides a carbon footprint calculator for you to measure your footprint and that of your household. The following introduction is given at the website. Inevitably, in going about our daily lives – commuting, sheltering our families, eating – each of us contributes to the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change. Yet, there are many things each of us, as individuals, can do to reduce our carbon emissions. The choices we make in our homes, our travel, the food we eat and what we buy and throw away all influence our carbon footprint and can help ensure a stable climate for future generations. Humankind has always had an impact, both constructive and destructive, on the creation that God has entrusted to us. My purpose in this little article is not to discuss the issue of global warming. Rather, when recently reflecting on the kingdom of God, I thought, here is an illustration of what I will call the kingdom footprint. The kingdom footprint, as I define it, is the amount of the likeness of God, in righteousness, in holiness, in peace and in love that we have released into the environment around us as we go …

On Friday, March 2, 2012, our country [USA] was ravaged by an outburst of terrible tornadoes that brought death and destruction in at least 13 states. One tornado in the state of Kentucky stayed on the ground for 95 miles! Two others stayed on the ground for some 40 miles. At least one town was completely destroyed. Some forty plus persons lost their lives in a moment of time when their houses and other buildings fell on them. One infant was found critically injured in a field, and later we learned that she died, as well as the rest of her family. Hearts were broken and heads were bowed down with grief and sorrow as people saw the destruction of properties and learned of the loss of lives. You are made to feel so small and insignificant when you consider the onslaught of nature’s forces. My wife and I prepared the best we could by getting into closets when the warning came for our county, but even then, we did not feel secure. It is only when the clear signal was given did we feel relieved. In life, we all experience storms of various kinds. Sometimes like the tornadoes, they come upon us so suddenly that we are overwhelmed. Please excuse the personal experience, but one of the greatest encounters with the storms of life was the death of my ‘baby brother’ who was only 35 years of age when he was killed while walking across a four lane highway …

Russians resurrected a frozen flower; can the same happen with the church of the Bible? Fox News reported (February 21, 2012) that Russian scientists managed to resurrect an ancient plant in a pioneering experiment that paves the way for the revival of other species. The Silene stenophylla is the oldest plant ever to be regenerated, the researchers said, and it is fertile, producing white flowers and viable seeds. The experiment proves that permafrost serves as a natural depository for ancient life forms, said the Russian researchers, who published their findings in Tuesday’s issue of “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” of the United States. The Russian research team recovered the ancient fruit after investigating dozens of fossil burrows hidden in ice deposits on the right bank of the lower Kolyma River in northeastern Siberia, the sediments of which are said to be dated back 30,000-32,000 years. (https://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/02/21/russians-resurrect-30000-year-old-frozen-flower/#ixzz1nIxJeiMG) Now, it is true that others have resurrected old seeds, but what makes the Russians’ experiment so special is the age of the plant. However, can this same principle be used in religion? Can we take the “ancient” Bible and “resurrect” the ancient faith? Can we have Christians like we find in the Book of Acts? Or, can we have the church that Christ built? Matthew 16:18, states, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” In this passage Jesus taught that He built one church, …

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20). In our efforts to dwell upon our duties to our Savior as Christians, we often forget about our body. When Jesus died on the cross for my sins, He not only laid claim to my spirit but my body as well. I am to be His servant: spirit, mind and body. Yet, that isn’t the way it usually works. We love Jesus and our neighbor. We worship God “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). We don’t drink alcohol, use illegal drugs, dance, fornicate, dress immodestly or do anything that will bring reproach upon our Master and His bride – the church of Christ. Yet, in other ways, we neglect our bodies, “the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). This principle came home to me about six years ago. While moving boxes, I almost ruptured two discs in my lower back. My doctor said that they could heal, if I took care. For eight months, I did not drive a car or do several other activities. To avoid future back surgery, he said I should also lose weight, taking some pressure off that injury. I began to give this serious thought. I have always had a weight problem and have lost (and found!) hundreds of pounds in my life. I thought, “Should my weight loss be for spiritual reasons, not just health and appearance concerns? Was I …