Abstract Art Priceless?

When one walks into public facilites, one finds a multitude of high priced abstract paintings and sculptures. This is mind-boggling, for our 2 year old could paint the same things because little or no skill is often involved. It's like buying a book that is unintelligible but is now considered 'priceless'.

Ultimately, this whole oddity is a desire to rebel against order and real beauty as God has already demonstrated in nature. The more bizarre, confusing, and repulsive the piece is, the more it is lauded. When one buys such a piece, one is then accepted all the more into this culture of absurdity which then gives the person a false sense of belonging.

This is nothing new, for when ancient cultures went down hill, so did their artwork. Instead of highly skilled artisans and craftsmen developing complex and exquisite pieces, they slowly and at times suddenly collapsed into the realm of the absurd.

Is Verbal Communication Possible?

Despite what Postmodernism has espoused regarding verbal language, God created language as a primary means for human communication. Words are not a prison house as some postmodern philophers assert. On the contrary, by words we are able to effectively build, systematize, and communicate knowledge. Because God is the originator of language, we can trust that communication through verbal language is possible and reliable.

However, one may conceptualize something slightly different from another when an object is spoken of. For example, when one things of 'dog', a general concept is thought of, yet any number of people may immediately conceive of any variety of 'dog'. However, that does not negate the use of language, for it is sufficient to communicate the essence of what is being spoken of, which is why we can carry on a conversation and not simply talk past each other in constant confusion.

Though different conceptions of 'dog' will come to mind from person to person as mentioned previously, the fundamentals will not be different. The fundamentals of 'dog' would be something like 'four legged mammal that barks'. Nonetheless, this does not totally break it down because the words 'four legged mammal that barks' will bring to mind a variety of things also. For this reason, an alleged 'prison house' comes in to play, for we use words to describe other words ad infinitum. Nevertheless, there is enough understanding present to communicate in a meaningful way without talking past each other and being oblivious to what one is saying.

The irony of the debate is that those who deny language usefuleness must assume the reality of verbal language; otherwise, they would not make arguments against using words by using words!

The Biblical Worldview is the only worldview that substantiates the reality and understandability of this short piece of writing you are reading right this second. Because God is the fountain of language, we can trust the realiability of verbal communication, and by His very Word all things were made that came into being (John 1).

Why then do we have miscommunication? We live in a fallen world (Gen 3), and Adam's sin caused havoc on all facets of life, including communication. However, God grants enough grace to maintain verbal order while at the same time magnifying the destructive effects of sin.

Let us therefore thank God for verbal language and the grace he bestows upon us in all facets of life, espeically salvation! To Him be the glory alone! Amen!

Creation Science 6 Part Sunday School Class

Photo Courtesy ICR Mt St Helens Slide Presentation

Understanding Science Through Biblical Glasses

1. Creation Part I: Ordered Design In A “Very Good” Creation

2. Creation Part II: The Heavens, Created Kinds And Man’s Origin

3. Fall: A “Very Good” Creation Gone Bad And Its Effects

4. Flood Part I: Noah’s Ark, Flood Geology And Fossils

5. Flood Part II: The Genesis Flood As The Cause Of The Ice Age

6. Tower of Babel: Origin Of Languages And Different People Groups

Creation Part I: Order & Purpose In A Very Good Creation

What do learn about God and science in the Creation Week?

Order: God made things in a specific way to show us that He brings order into the universe. Nothing happens by chance. God carefully maps out everything so that events occur at a specific time in a specific way to prevent confusion. Therefore, science is possible because God has made an ordered universe.

Purpose: God does things with a goal in mind. The first three days were set up to prepare for the last three days. God’s greatest purpose of all is to show how great He is, which is called the display of glory. When we investigate things, we see how great God is and how He created all things for a reason. Everything has a purpose, even the smallest particle.

Day 1 Matches Day 4

· Time, Space, Light, and the Earth were made on Day 1.

· The sun, moon, and stars were put into that space on Day 4.

· They give light and are for signs, season, days, and years.

Day 2 Matches Day 5

· God separated the water from above and below with the expanse in the middle on Day 2.

· This gave a distinct boundary between the seas and the atmosphere.

· All the sea animals and birds were created on Day 5.

· They filled the seas and skies.

Day 3 Matches Day 6

· The dry land appeared and all the plant life including grasses and trees were created on Day 3.

· They would provide food for all that lived on the land.

· All of the land animals were created on Day 6.

· The greatest of all God’s creation, man, was created on Day 6.

· The first two people were given authority over the earth to care for it and learn about.

A Very Good Creation: Everything was created very good. In the English, we may look over that, but, in the original Hebrew, this was a very important phrase. Not only was it tov (the word for good), but it was also meod (the word used to make the preceding word far more intense.

Creation Part II: Design--The Heavens, Created Kinds, And Man’s Origin

What do learn about God and science in the Creation Week?

Intelligent Design: Not only were things created with order and for a purpose, but they also reflect an Intelligent Designer that knit everything together in a beautiful pattern. The creation displays God’s great intelligence, care, and ability to create something very tiny and yet extremely complex. These are the building blocks of more complex things like people and the ecosystem. They are also irreducibly complex like a mousetrap. They could not evolve slowly over time and still function. Rather, they had to be made instantaneously with each part working simultaneously. In the same way, man was created with intelligence and has the ability to make blue prints that are then used to build enormous buildings and fascinating machines like rockets and satellites.

The Heavens: The sun, moon, and stars are reflections of incredible design. The delicate balance and orchestration required to sustain them in their purposes is mind-boggling. For example, if the earth was too close to the sun or too far away, life on earth would cease to exist. Another feature is gravity; this design feature keeps the universe in a predictable pattern, so that its purposes are fulfilled every moment of every day. Without gravity, we would not be able to chart the heavens because everything would be chaotic and disorderly.

Created Kinds: All things were created after their own kinds, whether plants or animals. For this reason, we should not be surprised when we do not find transition fossils. God has designed life in such a way that we have variety within a created kind, but we never see a dog turn into a cat. Once again, the Bible provides us with a pair of glasses by which we can understand the world as it really is. For this reason, when we accept God’s Word as truth, our time in scientific study is more efficient, useful, and productive. However, when we assume evolution from molecules to man to be true, we end up spending large amounts of money and time chasing after something that does not exist.

Man’s Origin: The greatest of God’s creation is man. Not only was man given authority over the earth, but his brain is unique. Just the complexity of the human brain and how that interacts with the spiritual aspect of man in is a great marvel. Even more so, the complex relationship between the husband and the wife reflects the Intelligence of God in how he made them equal but with different complementary roles. Truly, man did not evolve from apes or monkeys, and every alleged ape-man has been shown to be an ape, monkey, a man, something totally different, or a fake.

Fall: A Very Good Creation Gone Bad And Its Effects

What do we learn about God and man in The Fall (Genesis 3)?

God is holy and does not tolerate sin. Man is subordinate to God and is not above God’s holiness. Man’s sin brought death into the world. All of creation groans because of this (Romans 8:22).

God is just, but He is also love. He promised a Savior (Gen 3:15), who is Jesus Christ the Son of God. All who turn from sin and put their faith in Him to be made righteous are cleaned.

What was probably the primary effect of the Fall with regard to science?

Entropy: the tendency of things to go from order to disorder

How was entropy in effect before the Fall?

· Some aspects of entropy were already present.

· When people and animals ate the plants, digestion and order to disorder would have occurred with regard to what was eaten. Therefore, when plants were eaten, they would ‘die’ in one sense, yet they do not have the ‘breath of life’ as people and animals do.

· Walking upon the ground would have caused the dirt to move.

· The sun would have burned fuel, but would have been sustained so as to never burn out.

· This is just a partial list of pre-Fall entropy conditions.

How was entropy in effect after the Fall?

· Human death came into existence, so our bodies decay over time and are subject to many kinds of problems with aging, disease, etc.

· Animals that once were on friendly terms now began to fight each other.

· Animal death, or specifically that which has the breath of life, began to occur. This is implied because it is hard to imagine a world where a python eating your pet dog is ‘very good’.

· All of the heavens began to disintegrate.

· The earth became a violent place to live with all kinds of environmental disasters beginning.

· This is just a partial list of post-Fall entropy conditions.

Ultimately, the Bible explains why death exists and how God alone can save us from this miserable condition.

Flood Part I: Noah’s Ark, Flood Geology, And Fossils

What do we learn about God and man in The Flood (Genesis 6-9)?

God’s justice is once again magnified during the Flood. He does not wink at sin and will not tolerate rebellion against Him. God’s grace is also magnified towards those He saved in the Ark. Noah was a sinner, but he placed His faith in God to save Him. All of this points to The Cross where God’s justice and grace meet in an ultimate sense.

What were probably the primary effects of The Flood with regard to science?

Construction of Noah’s Ark

· Specs: 450’L X 75’W X 45’H

· Door and Skylight

· Optimum shape for cargo and seaworthiness

o Volume could hold 522 boxcars of sheep

o Could withstand 100’ waves

· Production

o Covered inside and out with pitch (most likely some type of turpentine)

o Mass produce sections of framework

· Animal Concerns

o Approximately 16,000 animals (created ‘kinds’--genus or family)

o Food—Special Diets and Carnivores

The Fountains of the Great Deep and the Windows of Heaven

Geology (Rocks) Five Evidences For Catastrophism at Mt. St. Helens

· Rapidly formed strata layers remind us of Grand Canyon.

· Rapidly eroded canyons also remind us of Grand Canyon.

· Upright deposited logs remind us of Yellowstone.

· A rapidly formed peat layer in Spirit Lake reminds us of Coal Beds.

· Rapid ecosystem recovery in the Blast Zone points to Post Flood repopulation.

Paleontology (Fossils) Billions of dead things buried in rock layers all over the earth. —Ken Ham

Fossilized remains of soft tissue points to mass rapid burial.

Large fossil graveyards illustrate sudden wide scale burial.

Marine fossils on mountain peaks point to global flooding in the past.

Flood Part II: The Genesis Flood As The Cause Of The Ice Age

What do we learn about God and man in The Flood (Genesis 6-9)?

God’s justice is once again magnified during the Flood. He does not wink at sin and will not tolerate rebellion against Him. God’s grace is also magnified towards those He saved in the Ark. Noah was a sinner, but he placed His faith in God to save Him. All of this points to The Cross where God’s justice and grace meet in an ultimate sense.

What were probably the primary effects of The Flood with regard to science?

RATE –Radio Isotopes and The Age of the Earth

· Three Basic Assumptions of Radio Isotope Dating (Hour-Glass example)

1. Constant flow rate

2. No leaching or adding of parent or daughter element

3. High ratio of parent vs daughter element originally

· Other Observations relating to Age

· Carbon 14 discovered where it ‘should not’ be observed in diamonds, coal, and other minerals

· Too much Helium in the rocks for the earth to be old

Glaciology—The Genesis Flood is the only known agent to cause The Ice Age.

· Two Necessary Ice Age Catalysts and Sustainers

1. Large volume of warm water in cold climates creating heavy snowfall

2. Cooler summers to prevent total annual snow/ice melt

· Genesis Flood and Ice Age

o Flood would have left the oceans warm in cooler areas like the Arctic

o Volcanic activity during and after The Flood would have spewed large amounts of aerosols (tiny dust particles) in the atmosphere which would have led to cooler summers

· Mammoths

o Lived post-flood—from created elephant kind most likely

o Arctic areas froze over as the Ice Age advanced trapping large animals

o Mammoths then had a smaller food supply as the Ice Age advanced

o Dry regions grew as evaporation decreased leading to mass suffocation

Tower Of Babel: Origin Of Languages and Different People Groups

What do we learn about God and man at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11)?

God commanded people to spread over all the earth, but man rebelled by not spreading over the earth. God is Holy and will be taken seriously. He confused the people in their work by giving them many languages. They stopped their building and began to spread across the earth. Man is Subject to the Will of God. God reigns in the heavens, and His will shall be done.

What were probably the primary effects at the Tower of Babel with regard to science?

The Bible explains why we speak different languages, look different, and have developed different cultures.

Linguistics—Language Development

· Originally, the Bible tells us that man spoke with one language.

· However, when man rebelled and did not spread across the earth, God confused man with many languages.

· In contrast to evolutionary teaching, our most ancient languages are the most complex and are present right from the beginning.

· Though there are many different variations of languages today, they can be isolated into broad language families like Semitic, which include languages such as Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac, and others.

Ethnicity—Rise of different People Groups

· As people spread out across the world, they became more and more isolated from each other.

· As they became more isolated, their differing physical characteristics became more obvious.

· Over time, those who were the most isolated became very distinct in appearance from the rest of the world, like the Aborigines in Australia.

· Also, man developed different false religions; this contributed to the rise of cultural differences with regard to religious worship.

· Nevertheless, the only race is the human race because everyone is a descendent of Adam and Eve.

· For this reason, racism, which saw a great rise through evolutionary teaching especially, is sinful and an abomination to God.

Is Having Many Children Irresponsible?

The mantra today is that to have more than one child is destructive to the earth itself. Therefore, if one has more than one child, much less many children, then one has sinned against extremist environmental postmodern liberal theology/philosophy. It is no suprise that such persons hate the Bible because, from the beginning, all of creation is blessed to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. Even more so, God follows up on this commanded after the Genesis Flood. What then shall we make of this as Christians?

The Bible clearly sees children as a blessing from the Lord, and blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them! Amen! The reality is that restricting procreation not only mocks the Living God who has decreed this blessing, but it also creates a social and economic meltdown. For example, the native European population is dying off as the aged increase while the youth decrease. As time goes on, there are not enough workers to support the economy itself, and, as the need for geriatric care exceeds population growth, the elderly are simply discarded and euthanized. Ironically, many of the same liberals that espouse such theology/philosophy are the same ones that are now being euthanized. This liberaly theology literally self-destructs and implodes in on itself.

Regarding starvation and such, the reality is that there is more than enough provision to feed the hungry. It's the oppressive regimes that prevent the food stuffs from reaching the people. At the same time, those under false religious systems will not eat what is available. Watching people starve to death while cows roam the streets is mind-boggling, yet anti-Biblical worldviews always lead to disaster.

In China, where infantificide and abortion is the rule of the land, they are already reaping the fruit of the godless murder of femal babies especially, for there are far more men that women. This creates obvious problems with social structure and future procreation.

Ultimately, if God decrees more children, as He has blessed in Scripture, then, as we look to Him, He will always provide for us as we have need in accordance with His will.

Therefore, let us celebrate the gift of children, and, by all means: Be Fruit and Multiply and Fill the Earth! Amen!

Danger of the Sluggard

"How long will you lie down O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest--
Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man."
Proverbs 6:9-11

How often we become so lazy in a busy over worked culture! That's impossible one might quip. On the contrary, much time is spent gazing at the tv, internet, gaming, etc. for frivolous mind-numbing reasons.

Rather, gird your loins O sluggard, and exercise your mind O sloth! Read the Scripture, enjoy God's creation, build or sew something, talk to your wife, and enjoy your kids instead! Amen!

Fire in the Bosom

"Can a man take fire in his bosom
And his clothes not be burned?
Or can a man walk on hot coals
And his feet not be scorched?
So is the one who goes into his neighbor's wife;
Whoever touches her will not go unpunished."
--Proverbs 6:27-29

Adultery is nothing new, and its consquences are not new either. It is always devastating to a marriage, for a breach of intimate trust has occured, and the man who thinks he can escape justice in this matter is a fool.

To chase after another is to be burned and scorched. King David writhed in agony over his sin with Bathsheba, and his consequences were dreadful. God forgave him when he asked, but his consequences were far worse that I'm sure he wanted to endure.

It is far better to be enraptured with the wife of thy youth, and in her breasts be satisfied always (Proverbs 5:18-19)! Amen!

Inconsistent Worldviews

I love to jest when I hear the words 'ought' and 'should' from various non-believers. In great irony, apart from the Biblical worldview, such words have no basis. Concurrently, pagans will deny Christ but then ask if they are going to Hell if they do such and such. Truly, their conscious bears witness against them as they internally struggle with the reality of judgment on the one hand while living out their rebellion on the other. They further boast and jest, "I guess I'm going to Hell for that one." The truth is that such comments are but a vain attempt to cloak guilt and shame.

It is all the more baffling when the pagans speak of needing to save money, discipline their children, etc., for they then go and practice the opposite with a haughty spirit. For examle, one might say, "I need to save money and not waste it on frivolous spending." Then in the very next breath, the same person says, "Hey, let's go shopping and run up the credit card, for tomorrow we die!"

What shall we say? Let us preach Christ and the freedom we have in Christ, for we are not enslaved to such vanity of vanities in our thinking and practice. Therefore, expose the incosistencies of idolatrous positions, and replace them with a Biblical Worldview.

To Him be the glory! Amen!

John Calvin's Institutes in a Year

A Woven Masterpiece of Systematic, Applied, & Historical Theology

Begins Jan 10th All Are Welcome!!

The following Text Book is Required

Institutes of the Christian Religion By: John Calvin - translated by Henry Beveridge

Can be purchased from the link above or on Amazon.com for $15-$25

Certificates will given to those who complete outside assignments.

Contact Jeramy for further details

770-842-9999 ajeramy@hotmail.com

Requirements for Certificate

--Conducting oneself in a godly manner by being respectful of each other when disagreements arise, which they will arise.

--Attended at least 35 weeks (not having class on major holiday traveling weekends should make this requirement easier).

--Have read through all of the The Institutes (which consists of four books)--each book must be completed within two weeks after finishing that particular book (honor system).

--Write a 2 page single-spaced, times new roman font, one-inch margins as an interaction with each of the four books of The Institutes, which will be due two weeks after we finish each book.

--Write a 7-10 page (not including title page or bibliography) double-spaced, 12 pt times new roman font, 1 inch margin research paper interacting with any topic covered in The Institutes with 7+ outside sources due two weeks after the class is finished.

Everyone is a Theologian

Many people tend to hide behind the statment, "I'm not a theologian." That is always a convenient excuse to justify misguidied and/or heretical theology. The fact is that everyone is a theologian. Any statement about God is in and of itself theological, and right theology is critical in understanding who God is and who we are in relation to God and the rest of creation. What one believes about God affects how and if one worships the one True God or some idol.

Though it takes time to systematize Scripture in one's mind, one can understand God's Word if one asks of Him to teach oneself. William Carey, the great missionary to India who was one of the Founding Fathers of the Modern Missionary Movement, was a cobbler (shoe maker) who become a premier theologian. He did this because He was committed to learning the Word of God so that he could then rightly apply it.

Right applied theology (applying God's Word to one's life) is always rooted in right sytematic theology (what the Bible says on a particular topic) and biblical theology (overarching theme of what the Bible is communicating in all its parts as a whole unit).

Therefore, let us strive to become skilled theologians so that we can love Him and love our neighbor as He commands in more prfound way to His glory.

Financial Stewardship

The Scripture speaks on money more than almost anything. In an era of high credit card debt and an instant gratifcation culture, we need to chew on the Scripture regarding financial responsibilities. Truly, "The borrower is the lender's slave." Paying off debt and managing finances does give finacial peace of mind.

The Scripture does not prohibit loans as they are spoken of throughout the Scripture, yet we are commanded to pay off our debts. It's one thing to take out a home loan vs rent working to pay the home off as timely as possible. It's another thing to just waste money and run up credit card debt on frivilous impulse shopping. Therefore, let us enjoy the blessings of sound financial stewardship, and use our resources to glorify God as we work as instruments in His hands to expand His Kingdom! Amen!

Use of Multimedia

The vast majority of people in developed nations use multimedia whether tv, internet, radio, etc. Multimedia in and of itself is not sinful; however, when one uses it for frivolous reasons hour after hour, then it's time to pull the plug. The countless thousands of hours spent in front of the tv or surfing the web is a poor stewardship of time and reflects folly.

There is no set time for usage, yet one knows from the conviction of the Spirit when it is time to back off and find something more productive to do. Breaking this sinful addiction (when one becomes consumed with it) is difficult, yet the Lord gives strength to flee from this temptation when we ask Him. If needed, just turn off the tv, get rid of the internet, or abandon cable tv.

To the surprise of many, once one is not using these devices for a period of time, the craving wanes and right priority is regained. We must also remember that each person will give an account before the Lord for word and deed. May that not be wasted.

Puritans on Sex: Common Straw Man Argument

In an effort to normalize immodest dress and perverse behavior, our postmodern culture demonizes the Puritans with regard to sexuality. The reality is that such was not the case. For example, Jonathan Edwards greatly loved his wife and had 12 children. So much for an inactive intimate life!

It was not as though the Puritans denied this joyous union; rather, they condemned immoral practices which God abhors. Such immoralities anger the Lord, devastate families, spread diseases, and ultimately wreak havoc on the soul. The culture glorifies such practices, yet this culture tends to hide the brutal reality of heart-wrenching divorces and horrific crimes committed amidst such sinful behavior.

God created sex for our pleasure to His glory. Not only is this the means by which procreation occurs, it is a joyous bond that unites husband and wife in great intimacy. When conducted in loving selfless service, God is honored and the family unit is closely knit together. When sex is practiced outside of faithful wedlock between one man and one woman for one lifetime, disaster is always the result. Sex is joyous in a God honoring marriage, but it is only a fleeting vain pleasure when conducted with selfishness of heart apart from God's ordained union.

When we read the glorious and altogether erotic account given by Solomon in the Song of Solomon, we are awestruck at the majesty of the intimacy and virtue that pours forth. May we rejoice in this gift, and, by all means: Be Fruitful and Multiply! Amen!

Response to Physical Pain and Suffering

As a result of living in a fallen world, each of us experiences physical pain and suffering from toothaches to cancer. How are we to respond Biblically from the ground up?

When Paul was suffering physically, the Lord reminded him that His grace was sufficient. That can be difficult to hear when one is persevering through difficulty, especially when it is excruciating or chronic. However, His grace is sufficient, and, with regard to physical pain, He dispenses grace in several ways: miracles, strength to endure, care from others, and medical remedies. All of these, when asked for and/or are used in the right context are God glorifying and spiritually edifying. However, our primary response must always be to beseech the Lord by acknowledging that He is the Great Physician who will move as He wills.

1) God works the miraculous in healing the sick or fixing the lame. God welcomes this request, yet God is not a genie as some make Him out to be in the health and wealth gospel. He surely moves in other ways and for different reasons as well.

2) When medical care is absent and/or healing is not imminent, if we ask the Lord for strength to endure, He will grant it to us. There have been countless times when all I could do is cry out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and He has granted strength time and time again.

3) Others are given an opportunity to show love and compassion in service when they assist the sick or afflicted. God uses this to grow a community's love for each other, whether a small family or the local Church.

4) God has provided wisdom and insight into medical remedies whether that be surgery, medication, adjustments, herbs & teas, splints, casts, stitches, etc. These not only alleviate the pain, but they may also fix the problem long-term. Remember, Paul specifically advised Timothy to take some wine for his stomach, so such remedies are not prohibited.

Physical pain is used to build our faith and trust in the Lord, whether going through the pain or assisting others in theirs. Ultimately, this reminds us as believers that our hope lies in the future when we will be in the presence of the Lord free of all pain and any threat of it forever! Amen!

Prison of Modern Psychology

Initially, one can become enticed to embrace a 'psychological disorder'. For example, if one has no control over being ADD, then it's easy to use the 'I have ADD' line to justify abhorrent behavior. It may seem quite useful at times, especially in parenting difficult children who are like wild animals; we have two of them. The reality is that they don't have ADD, they just have energy, yet that energy must not go unchecked, lest it turn into disciplinary/obedience problems. Daily discipline is hard, monotonous, and even frustrating at times, yet that is the answer to unruly children, not a bottle of pills and/or a cop-out label. We live in a fallen world, and punishment (even corporal) for misconduct is required instead of misinformation and parental laziness.

The great tragedy of these labels is that one ultimately finds oneself in a hopeless prison. After using it as a convenient alibi for a while to evade work and discipline, eventually this mindset becomes debilitating. One no longer wants to simply blame 'bi-polar'; rather, one wants to to be set free from such problems. Many Christians become entangled in this web also, and much of that is due to defective biblical and systematic theology which leads to impotent applied theology (ie counseling, discipleship, and evangelism). What then is the answer?

Regular digestion and right understanding of Scripture always lays the groundwork for meaningful application. The Lord's Sufficient, Authoritative, Inerrant, Inspired, Holy Word is the only true answer for someone whose attitude and disposition is like a yo-yo all the time, as is the case with many of the 'disorders' that exist. 'Meds' are not the answer; a right relationship with the Living God is! Amen!