Free Kindle Book on "Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask"

I have not read this book, although it does seem to have some great content.  The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask was written in response to a survey given to 1000 Christians.  It is now being offered in Kindle format for FREE.  (Note: If you do not have a Kindle, don't worry.  You can download the Kindle program on just about any computing devise for book reading).

I would like to make a few comments about how we go about answering objections to our faith.  As Christians living in 2010, we must be constantly thinking about how we can bring the gospel to every person - that's right...every person.  Our day is one that is saturated with extreme skepticism.  Expect questions from non-believers.  Expect significant questions.  But even if you were to read and memorize every response to every possible skeptical answer, though highly important, it would not be enough.  Allow me a few words of advice in this line.

First, remember who you were without Christ.  You (and I!) were worse than skeptics - we were enemies (Rom 5:10).  We were arrogant, insolent, haters of God.  And He saved us.  Let this sink in.  When speaking with a skeptic, it might be helpful to imagine that you are really speaking to yourself just a few years ago.

Second, remember who you are in Christ.  The unbeliever will probably throw out crazy, less than polite comments about God - about Christ.  Stay seated in your heart knowing that you are seated with Christ at the right hand of God (Eph 2).  No insult, no arbitrary argument, no assault upon Scripture can snatch you from your place IN CHRIST.  This is the basis for showing patience with those who do not know Him.  And always remember, Christ and His Word are not worried about skeptical inquiries.  Rather, it is the unbeliever that should be worried. 

Third, understand that unbelief is the height of irrationality.  In other words, lower your expectations.  Don't come to the table expecting to hear a consistent argument, or even a rational one.  Again, be patient.  Pray.

Finally, understand the bondage of unbelief.  This will help your compassion.  Unbelief is bondage to Satan and the sinful flesh.  Therefore, as the Lord's servants, we "must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting [our] opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will" (2 Tim 2:24-26)."

So, enjoy the book; but with it, enjoy the Gospel in THE Book.  Giving answers to skeptical questions is not about being right; but about showing people how they can be right before God.  In order to do this, we must first be right before God.  We must love this standing and the One who provided it for us on Calvary.

Cam Newton, Idolatry, and Christ

A few things that I have learned about idolatry that I have learned from watching football, esp. Cameron Newton, this season.

First, on worship.  As human beings, we love sitting for long periods of time gazing upon superiority.  The better the athlete, the more talk, praise, and attention he gets.  Sure, the really bad players may get some attention, but only because they are superior in their inferiority!  How many times have we found ourselves discussing how fast a teenager is? Or how much they can bench press?  Or how many yards they have gained this year?  I find it very interesting that little to no effort is needed to commit these stats to memory.  Nor does anyone find it particularly difficult to engage in conversation about the same.  Again, interesting.

Second, on identity.  Cameron Newton’s jersey is sold out until next year.  In some mysterious way, our identity is attached to the life and identity of another.  When they excel we excel.  When they don’t, we don’t.  It’s almost like we take ownership of the merits [and demerits!] of another.  It truly is a great time when a superior athlete is on our team.  Why is this?  There is something deep within us that longs for worship; and also longs to be identified with the object of that worship.

Third, on futility of idolatry.  No athlete is worthy of our worship or identity. As superior to other athletes as they may be, not one of them is perfectly superior.  Not one of them is without sin.  They will fall.  Did Cameron Newton break the rules?  I’m not sure.  I wonder why so many men [and women] find themselves looking and listening, so eagerly and intently, for “Breaking News”.  Do we really care about the individual?  Or are we more concerned with our own identity and fulfillment?  Again, isn’t it interesting that many (myself included) find it almost effortless to search for and listen to news reports on the issue.  In a sense, we long for the conclusion.  But why?  Here is the reality of the situation.  Guilty or not, Cam will probably go pro.  Then he will either get injured or old.  Then he will leave sports.  Then he will die. I hope this news doesn't "break" us.

Fourth, on the abuse of idolatry.  When we raise these kids to the level of idolatry we abuse them.  Cam himself is experiencing the fickle nature of his own identity right now.  Praise from men is highly intoxicating – and intoxicated individuals rarely make good decisions.  In a way, when we feed our idols, we kill them.  In offering Cam praise, we sacrifice him upon our own alters of worship.  But that’s okay, praise keeps him blinded to this; and when that runs its course and doesn’t fulfill him anymore – we will pay him a ton of money.  Yeah, that will keep him in front of our eyes for a few more years!  Then we move on to the next guy.  Cam is left in the dark…sorry man.

Last, on Christ.  Why do we love superiority so much?  There is no doubt we do.  We long for it so badly that we are willing to ravage the slightest hint of it in the creature.  When a kid shows superiority, we adore him, praise him, follow his progress, and even memorize him.  Again, we place our identity in him.  As said before, however, all creatures fall.  And when they do – so do we. 

But Christ never falls.  He never fails.  He never tears an ACL.  He never takes money for selfish gain.  He never gets tired, old, sick, prideful, or “Terrell Owens-ish”.  And he will never retire! He is infinitely superior, with divine strength and endurance, able to save, change, care for, and redeem all who spend all of their Saturdays watching Him!  He is meticulous in all categories of life!  He is majestic, righteous and abounding in all that we need to be satisfied.  He will never let us down; nor will he leave us wanting.  He is the image of the invisible God – the One we were created for!  He is the maker and creator of every beating heart; and thus able to captivate and fill all of our emptiness.  He alone is worthy of our worship; and in Him (identity) we find our life.  Forever.  This season will never end.

I'm not saying watching and enjoying football is bad.  But making idols of players is.  There are many reasons for this, one of which is this:  we cannot show Cam Christ when he is our christ.  And right now, that kid needs Christ.  He needs to know that his identity can be secured and safely hidden in someone other than himself.  

My Top 10 Favorite Books - #10 (Free Book!!!)

Over the past few months, I have had a few people ask me for a "Top 10 List" of my favorite books.  After thinking about it, this has been a pretty difficult task for a few reasons.  First, I like so many books.  It's like asking me which kid I love the most - or, which book of the Bible I love the most.  No ten books shine on my shelves.

Second, my reading habits are weird.  Presently, I am reading about 10 books!  They are all over my desk, on my Kindle (which I love!), and in my backpack (yes, I carry a backpack:).  When I get some time, I pick the one that I feel like reading.  I don't really have a disciplined system.  I wish I did; but I think seminary ruined that for a while!

Third, when I think I have finally found a "top pick", I will read another book and fall in love with another.  There is a lot of really good stuff out there to read.  I have been fortunate enough to tap into a well of great resources and authors.  So, my top ten could easily be my top fifty.

Finally, I don't read books that a lot of people like to read.  For example, I hate reading fiction.  I'm not even a fan of Lord of the Rings.  I know, I know.  Shoot me now!  I had plenty of classmates in seminary that blasted me for being about as exciting as the cardboard box over there from Westminster book store.  All of this to say, that even if I like these ten books, you may not find them interesting at all.  However, I am convinced that they are well worth the read. 

Now for  #10 already.  Thomas Watson's A Body of Divinity is masterfully written, doctrinally rich and very enjoyable.  This book wet my appetite for the puritans.  It was Charles Spurgeon's favorite book; which comes as no surprise; you can hardly read Spurgeon without being overwhelmed by Watson-like word pictures, illustrations and analogies. 

This book is a compilation of Watson's sermons as he preached through the shorter catechism.  Each chapter addresses a particular point of doctrine and can easily be completed in a 20-30 min sitting.  His writing is rather easy for a puritan, though some may have to get a bit acclimated to the style.  Every chapter is also filled with practical applications for living a simple, godly life.

My favorite characteristic about this book, and Watson in general, is his word pictures and analogies.  He says of God's mercy, "The bee gives honey naturally, but only stings when provoked."  This just makes me all happy inside.

Perhaps my favorite quote is this one on God's glory:  "God's glory is more worth than heaven, and more worth the salvation of all men's souls.  Better kingdoms be throne down, better men and angels be annihilated, than God should lose one jewel of His crown, one beam of His glory."

There you have it.  Number 10.  I have decided that I will post the next favorite book on my list every two weeks.  I will also be giving a copy of the book away!  All you have to do is leave a comment (any comment) OR send me an email (smoore1517@gmail.com) to enter your name in the drawing.  And just so you know, the last drawing had 12 names - so your chances should be pretty good!  I will be drawing for this book next Friday (11/19/10).  Happy Reading!!!

The Gospel and Porn

No, I won't "shut it" about porn.  I am quite aware that even bringing up the subject can cause some to wonder down the porn path.  That's how enticing it is.  But I must keep communicating the dangers of this horrible medium.  WE must speak up.  The snowball is rolling downhill fast.  It has been gaining exponential speed ever since pornographic material was invited into the home with the simple click of a mouse.

It seems that the only ones communicating honestly about the abuse of sex are the secular artists.  With their words, images and expressions, they reach down into our innermost beings and call our sinful flesh to feast at their table.  And they are good at it.  While at the gym the other day, not only did I pass by the front desk with an issue of MAXIM magazine in full display; but I also found my head bobbing to the lyrics, "I kissed a girl and I liked it..."  WHAT THE HECK!

Again, the snowball is rolling fast.  And its getting larger.  It is difficult to go anywhere or listen to anything without getting bombarded.  Sure, there is Christian television and radio...but I don't want to go there.  Most of it, though "clean" is only superficially so.  We go there only to find that the pendulum has swung to the other side.  This get's us nothing but a new Pharisaical friend.  What we really need is the gospel, which powerfully embraces the entire clock with redemptive arms.

The gospel is not afraid of sex - nor is it afraid of porn!  It, like the secular artist, is honest.  In other words, both the gospel and the secular artist are not afraid to say what is really going on!  Notice that I did not say that they (the gospel and the artist) agree on what is right (or wrong) about what is going on.

The gospel praises the pleasures of sex, but never the distortion of it.  The gospel exposes the fact that, yes, indulgence in pornographic material is exhilarating, pleasurable and intense; but it does not leave the individual in the slums.  The artist sinfully feasts in those slums and calls others for company.  When the song is over, however, all the guests are left with no artist and with dirty faces.  Let the guilt begin.

The Krispy Kreme donuts are gone, now everyone sits around trying not to puke.

The gospel, on the other hand, goes to the slums and calls sinners to a superior pleasure!  Again, porn is the horrible distortion of something that is gloriously good.  Porn feeds the human appetite for pleasure and sexual intimacy with something less than glorious.  The gospel doesn't call for an extinction of the appetite, but rather a redirection of it.  A lion who is foolishly addicted to oatmeal should not be encouraged to stop eating; but rather, he should be redemptively redirected to eating steak! 

Here's the only dangerous part - bringing the gospel to pornographers requires taming lions.  But here is the glorious part - the gospel tames lions.  And tamed lions live powerful lives.  As Christians we must live the gospel.  Christ died to set us free.  He tore down the wall that kept us from our Superior Pleasure - God.  This is forgiveness.  This is fulfillment.

Here is the truth...The gospel targets sinners.  Yes, even pornographers.  And when it hits them, it powerfully changes them.  Porn, though tempting, is no longer appealing.  The lion looks at the oatmeal and smirks.  By grace, I am living proof.

Question 5: Were the Ancient Manuscripts of the Bible Transmitted Accurately?

We live in a time of great skepticism.  There are scores of books written whose chief aim is to discredit the Book we, Christians, love so much.  God’s people have always been a people of the Book (Ps. 119).  Therefore, if one “sinks” the Book, the house comes down with it.  With this goal in view, many skeptics propose that the Bible that we have today is not the Bible that was inspired through the ancient authors.  Simply put, they allege that the Bible has not been transmitted accurately. 

Christians, on the other hand, have nothing to fear.  This question, “Were the Ancient manuscripts of the Bible transmitted accurately?” can be answered confidently in the affirmative.

Plummer’s Overview of Textual Issues.  The Old Testament was written in Hebrew (with a few Aramaic portions) between 1400 and 430 B.C.  The New Testament was written in Greek between A.D. 45 and 90.  The original copies of the ancient documents are called the autographs.  All autographs of biblical books have been lost or destroyed, though we have thousands of ancient copies.  The process of comparing and studying these copies to reconstruct the wording of the originals is called textual criticism. 

The above is a great overview for any student of the Bible.  Given the age of the texts and the fact that the originals are simply not around any longer may give rise for considerable doubt; hence, the skeptical agenda.  However, with the tools of textual criticism and the vast number of ancient copies, the wording of the originals is confidently reconstructed.

Plummer notes, “Most scholars, both liberal and conservative, agree that text criticism has served to confirm the reliable transmission of the Old and New Testament manuscripts.  A leading biblical scholar, D.A. Carson, notes that the New Testament autographs can be reconstructed with roughly 96-97 percent accuracy.  Furthermore, no text in question affects Christian doctrine.  That is, all Christian doctrines are firmly established without appealing to debated texts.  Most unsolved issues have little or no doctrinal significance.”

I remember speaking with my New Testament professor one day after class.  I was troubled by these issues of criticism.  Sitting back in his chair, he told me that even if the most scholarly, dedicated, and meticulous atheist were to take all of our manuscript evidence, and set out to compile his own biblical text, he would not be able to derive a heterodoxical book.  Wow.

The Copying of Ancient Texts.  Plummer comments on the quality of textual transmission in the ancient times.  Jewish rabbis and early Christian scribes usually exercised great precision in copying biblical texts.  For example, Jewish scribes followed detailed systems for counting letters in manuscripts and checking for accidental variations.  Likewise, Christian scribes showed great caution, often having multiple correctors read through their copies to check for errors. 

Some Old Testament Evidence.  In 1947, the first part of a cache of ancient Jewish documents was discovered in caves near the Dead Sea.  Along with extrabiblical literature, scholars have found portions of all OT books except Esther and Nehemiah.  These manuscripts are called the Dead Sea Scrolls.  Why was this find so important?  Prior to this discovery, the most significant extant Hebrew Old Testament manuscripts were the Leningrad Codex (A.D. 1008) and Aleppo Codex (ca. A.D. 900).  The Dead Sea Scrolls represent manuscripts and copies of manuscripts from roughly 250 B.C. to A.D. 50, and have confirmed that the Hebrew books of the Bible were meticulously and faithfully copied. Therefore, with this discovery, the Hebrew manuscript evidence is pushed back an entire millennium!

Some New Testament Evidence.  We presently have nearly six thousand ancient manuscripts or portions of manuscripts of the New Testament.  The oldest fragment comes from about A.D. 130.  No other ancient text comes close to having this amount of early textual evidence! 

In his book, One Way to God, Mike Robinson points out, “the errors in thousands of copies are easy to find.  Scholars have pointed out that scribal mistakes in the copies would be similar to writing out a sentence 4000 times and having errors scattered throughout that work.  By comparing all the sentences, it is easy to find the correct and perfect reading.”

I find it extremely encouraging and faith-strengthening to know that our biblical text towers over any other ancient text in terms of the number and chronological proximity of other attestations.  For example, F.F. Bruce writes, “For Caesar’s Gallic War (composed between 58 and 50 B.C.) there are several extant manuscripts, but only nine or ten are good, and the oldest is some 900 years later than Caesar’s day.”  This is just one of many examples.

Question for Reflection.  What is something new you learned about the transmission of biblical manuscripts?  Have you ever read a book by Bart Ehrman or Dan Brown?  If so, how might this information help you to understand and defend your Bible?

For Further Reading on Textual Criticism I would recommend the following:

The Text of the New Testament (3rd Edition) by Bruce M. Metzger

A Students Guide to Text Criticism of the Bible by Paul D. Wegner

The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? by F.F. Bruce

Idols in the Shadows

Our lives and relationships, though wonderful at times, are also stained with sin.  We can hardly live a single day without the possibility/reality of offending or being offended.  Sometimes, we even do everything right, then...WHAMMO! a fight breaks out.  Minutes later, we are left scratching our head saying, "Where in the world did that come from?" or "How in the world did this happen?"

Without fail, if there is a break in relationship, however long that break may last, there is an idol lingering in the shadows.  Idols are tricky that way.  They like to hide, whispering in the conscience, making promises, and thus feeding our sinful flesh.  Idols are by nature small, but in our perception become quite large.  Their lies seep into our innermost being, and, if we are not careful, our hearts will become completely enslaved.  Our hearts then begin to beat idolatrous blood.  If one were to look at our heart, they would see our idol.  If one were to rip out our idol, they would rip out our heart. 

Relationships naturally fiddle with idols.  Others, who do not necessarily want what we want, often get in the way of what we want.  This is precisely when the "WHAMMO!" happens.   Idols demand devotion.  And they keep our devotion by promising what every person deeply longs for - acceptance and satisfaction.  So we cling to them.  We "set our minds" upon them.  The only problem is that idols don't like to share.  They are fragile, easily broken, and thus require constant care, attention, and nurture.  In other words, idols can die.  They die easily.  And when they do, their promises die with them.  We are then left holding on to nothing...but despair. 

Therefore, when another person enters our situation we are immediately on guard.  If the person asks something from us, we immediately run that directive by our idol.  Should the person's request serve our idol - we move forward, albeit selfishly.  Should it not - we resist; or, move forward with resentment.  Depending on how threatened the idol is by the other person, we may even tell the person to "shove off."  WHAMMO!

This is a huge subject, so let me give some practical thoughts.  How do you know when you have stumbled upon an idol?  If a person builds their life on an idolatrous promise, that person will react accordingly when that idol dies or is threatened.  I call these "over reactions."  The Bible identifies these as anger, wrath, malice, deceit, obscene talk, sexual immorality, fear, anxiety, depression and so on.  So when any of these are present, an idol must be present as well.  Look for it.

What do you do when you find it?  This is the crucial part.  We must be careful.  If this is done without great care, you might get cut!  Remember, "WHAMMO!"?  The idol must be dethroned.  It must die (Note: I have been referring to idols in the singular; but it is common to have a multitude of them running around in our lives).  The best way to kill an idol is to take away its leverage - you must peel its greedy fingers from the heart.  How is this done?  Only with the gospel.

You see, the idol whispers things like, "If you don't have me, you will never be acceptable."  or "If I should be out of your life, you will never be satisfied."  What are some idols in your life?  Cell phone?  New car?  Good grades?  Money?  Clothes?  Food?  Beer?  Anything can be an idol.  Be careful.

So, you have to respond to the idol by calling it what it is - a liar.  No earthly thing can satisfy us?  Nor can any created thing pay our debt to make us acceptable.  The promises are simply not true.  Idols are not faithful.  How many times have you been let down?  How many times have your idols lied? 

Did the boyfriend or girlfriend really ultimately satisfy you?  When they didn't, what did you do?  Experiment with sexual behavior?  Yeah...that's it...that will satisfy me!  And when that didn't work, what did you do?  Break up?  Then what?  Depression?  Despair?  Your idol has died...and it must be replaced.  Not with another relationship, but with Christ alone, through faith and repentance.

Christ is the One, in whom the fullness of God dwells bodily (Col 2).  He is the divine righteous One who can pay (and by faith has paid!) your debt.  Only He can fill...only He can satisfy.  Again, only the gospel will do.  How many times have we dethroned one idol only to enthrone another?  A person gives up smoking and soon finds him/herself eating.  We all do it.  As Calvin said, "Our hearts are idol making factories."  The saying goes something like this: "Satan will gladly take a cold to give cancer."

This is why the apostle tells us to set our minds upon Christ (Col 3:1-4).  In Him we have been filled.  In Him we have been forgiven.  Suddenly there is no space left for idols to occupy in our hearts.  Christ kills them when they try.  He is our Victorious King.  Our Warrior enthroned on high!  He will never be dethroned.  Therefore, in Christ, there is no good reason for "WHAMMO!"

Ricky Martin Comes Out of Oprah's Closet

And Oprah says to Mr. Martin, "Have you ever thought that if every one who was hiding would just come out of their closets, this world would be a totally different place!?"  Mr. Martin replies emphatically, "Yes!!!  Yes!!!"  And the crowd applauds. 

As many of you know, Ricky Martin has announced to the world that he is gay.  This is old news to some.  But to others, it may be a shocker.  Just the other day, however, he was on Oprah to talk about his decision to "go public" with his sexual orientation.  It was both devastating and insightful. 

First, the insightful part.  He just couldn't be silent anymore.  He struggled inside and knew that he was not living out who he really was.  So he wrote a book.  He came out of the closet.  Ricky Martin looks back to this time as the greatest time of his life.  To be open to the world about his homosexuality, and to be accepted, was the most liberating experience he has gone through. 

Why is this insightful?  Well, to come clean and be accepted is something that is not foreign to the human experience.  This is what it means to be human - to live unashamed and fully accepted.  As people created in the image of God, we desire to be fully known and fully embraced.  This is true intimacy.  This is true communion.  This is what we were created for. 

Why is this devastating?  There are many reasons.  First, Oprah rejoiced with him and the crowd applauded for him.  In a sense, Ricky Martin is more of a star today than he was yesterday.  I have stated it before; this is indicative, not of our rising, but our falling as a nation.  Things must change.

Second, this is devastating because people cannot give ultimate acceptance.  In a matter of years Martin's book will be off of the shelves, and his fans will have moved on to applaud another.  Sure they may embrace and accept his homosexuality, but these fans have NOT accepted and embraced him.  Sure, they may approve him now; but let him turn one of then down for an autograph...we will see how accepting they really are.

Third, from a Biblical perspective (which is the only true perspective), when we see people accepting sinful behavior, we do not see selfless love, but selfish idolatry.  Oprah and the audience are revealing their idolatry, not their nobility.  This is the reasoning of the audience: "Ricky is a star.  If I accept him, he will accept me."  This is the reasoning of Oprah:  "Ricky is a star...and he is gay!  If I accept him, those that love him will love me.  Also, this will make one heck of a show!" 

In essence, Oprah and the audience are doing with Ricky what Ricky is doing with other men.  They are consuming him, trying to fill their own emptiness with a creature.  It won't be long before their claps become criticisms.

Fourth, this show encourages misery, and keeps people from true acceptance and intimacy.  A person who struggles with any sexual sin knows that the sinful behavior never satisfies completely.  People's approval pails in comparison to God's acceptance.  Indulgence in sin is always followed by a deeper hunger to have more, and more, and more.  Man's praise and acceptance will never fill the craving.  The creature is not greater than the Creator.  Only repentance and faith in Christ will do. 

Yes, Oprah was right.  If everyone came out of their closet and received approval, this world would be a different world.  But it will not be a better one.  Homosexuality (along with every other sin) must not be embraced with praise.  This only leads one farther down the road to destruction.  Rather, the person must be embraced with the power of the Cross.  This shows true acceptance in that Christ died for the forgiveness of sins.  The sinner must also be met with the Resurrection of Christ - where, by faith, we are seated with Him, being finally united to our Creator.

Let us pray Christian...those who struggle with homosexuality and those who do not.  Let us fight the good fight.  Let us bear with one another in this difficult wilderness.  Let us love holiness and hate sin.  And let us show the world the acceptance and satisfaction that only Christ can give, by grace, through faith.