THE BIBLE: AN OVERVIEW
Garreth L. Clair
INTRODUCTION:
Before man existed, before animals existed, before plants existed, indeed; before anything existed there was God. You see, there is no beginning and there is no end to the existence of God. Because of man's inability to understand how God exists eternally he rejects the ideal of God in many instances. Man with all his learning is unable to define and explain the origin of anything without utilizing a faith system of his own. Many learned scientist have embraced the faith of evolution in order to explain the origin of that which exist. Yet even this philosophy requires of its disciples that they accept by faith the tenants of Darwin, Lenin, Marx, and Freud (i.e., the fathers of modern day evolutionary thought). The materialist (i.e., those modern men of wisdom, who have taken up the mantle of Darwin, Lenin, Marx, and Freud) is at a loss to explain the origins of that which exist with their man invented hypothesis. These defenders of the faith of Darwin, Lenin, Marx, and Freud) have devised their own creed, the writings of the faith's fathers (i.e., Darwin, Lenin, Marx, and Freud) and their disciples are the bible of the modern Materialists. Some of the books of the materialist religion are "The Origin of Species and the Descent of Man" by Charles Robert Darwin, and the published works and philosophies of each of the men discussed above.
Today, all over the world the atheist philosophies are prevalent. The new names for these same philosophies is "Humanism". The humanist philosophies are all ant-God. It is these philosophies that have made inroads into belief in God and the genuineness of God's Book. The views expressed in God's Book are contradictory to the humanist philosophies that are prevalent in the media, both the electronic and the printed media. The greatest problem today that those of us face when attempting to establish the God of the Bible and the genuineness of the Bible itself is the 100 years of atheism that has been spoon fed to humanity all over the earth. Satan and his workers have had a great deal of success in the world for the last century but that should be no surprise to those who truly know the teaching of the Bible. God and the "truly righteous" are few
The philosophies of men are senseless in view of the historical calamity that has consistently befallen them (i.e., the philosophies of most of the leaders of the social, cultural, and philosophical -- brave new word). Their concepts have collapsed or have made humanity worse than they were before their experiments were pushed upon an unsuspected world. To those that subscribe to these atheistic philosophers I suggest, read the material that we will present in this dissertation. If you will examine the theological conclusions that we unfold you will surely be convinced that belief in God, the genuineness of the Bible, and its precepts are valid for humanity and its betterment.
EXPLAINING GOD'S EXISTENCE
In the first paragraph of this study we introduced God to the reader. We are not capable of giving the origin of the Divine Godhead. The cause for our ignorance in this matter is understandable when we consider that God created us. Since He did create us it is a fact that He knows all about our origin, our needs, and our peculiar characteristics.
“In the beginning God … “
Genesis 1:1 --- Bible!
Garreth Clair
ANSWERS A QUESTION ABOUT
“SEXUAL SINS”
ADULTERY
Conjugal infidelity. An adulterer was a man who had illicit intercourse with a married or a betrothed woman, and such a woman was an adulteress. Intercourse between a married man and an unmarried woman was fornication. Adultery was regarded as a great social wrong, as well as a great sin. The Mosaic Law (Num. 5:11-31) prescribed that the suspected wife should be tried by the ordeal of the "water of jealousy." There is, however, no recorded instance of the application of this law. In subsequent times the Rabbis made various regulations with the view of discovering the guilty party, and of bringing about a divorce. It has been inferred from John 8:1-11 that this sin became very common during the age preceding the destruction of Jerusalem. Idolatry, covetousness, and apostasy are spoken of as adultery spiritually (Jer. 3:6, 8, 9; Ezek. 16:32; Hos. 1:2:3; Rev. 2:22). An apostate church is an adulteress (Isa. 1:21; Ezek. 23:4, 7, 37), and the Jews are styled "an adulterous generation" (Matt. 12:39). (Comp. Rev. 12.)
FORNICATION
In every form of it was sternly condemned by the Mosaic Law (Lev. 21:9; 19:29; Deut. 22:20, 21, 23-29; 23:18; Ex. 22:16). (See ADULTERY.) But this word is more frequently used in a symbolical than in its ordinary sense. It frequently means a forsaking of God or a following after idols (Isa. 1:2; Jer. 2:20; Ezek. 16; Hos. 1:2; 2:1-5; Jer. 3:8, 9).
CONSIDER THIS {Editor’s Comments}:
Fornication and adultery are words used in the Bible to cover all forms of sexual impurity. The word FORNICATION covers all forms of sexual impurities that are not covered by the word ADULTERY. ADULTERY generally refers to sexual relations outside the marriage covenant.
These sins are still an abomination before God. God will not accept adultery or fornication as a normal lifestyle, such sins as Sodomy and other forms of homosexual conduct may correctly be referred to as fornication and a married person who involves themselves with homosexual activities is guilty of adultery.
GOD’S ADDITUDE TOWARD THE ADULTERY AND FORNICATION OF THE ANCIENTS {Romans 1:26-32}:
The people before the flood are used as an example of disbelief in God and their disbelief is shown to lead to many forms of sin and shameful CONDUCT BETWEEN MEN AND MEN AND WOMEN AND WOMEN RESULTING IN AN ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR SINS BY MANY TO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION (i.e., condemnation as sinners also)..
Romans 1:26-32, “26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. “
ADULTERY AND DIVORCE ACCORDING TO CHRIST’S INSTRUCTION:
The sin of adultery is the only cause for divorce found in the teaching of Christ.
Matthew 5:32, “But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”
Matthew 19:9, “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery”
THE WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY {John 8:1-11}:
Notice here that Jesus does not sanction the adultery of the woman, He says to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more (verse 10).” Here we see that Jesus considered adultery a sin and so He told the woman to sin no more (i.e., stop committing adultery).
John 8:1-11, “1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" 11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
1. Definitions from Easton’s Dictionary
2. Scripture references from the New King James Version
Articles by Garreth L. Clair—5/1/2005
glclair@sbcglobal.net
| Our prayer is that we will be able to aid in the great work of teaching and encouraging people from all walks of life to take a little time and look at the evidence for God’s existence, His love for mankind, and His Holy Book (i.e., the BIBLE).
PSALMS 23:1-6
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
NKJV BIBLE
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The information that we will deal with from throughout the world will be printed in the English (i.e., American) language. The news and events will be gleaned from existent news sources, both electronic media and printed media. We will always give the source and credits for the origins of our NEWS ITEMS.
THE JUDGMENT OF GOD IS COMING!
There will never again be a great flood to cover the whole earth, but there will be another day of judgment coming for all mankind. As one reads the account of the first judgment of humanity in - Gen 6:5-10,
5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9 This is the genealogy of Noah . Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. NKJV
God's promise to never destroy the earth again with a great flood - Gen 9:15-17, 15 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." 17 And God said to Noah , "This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me a. NKJV
God's second judgment is coming - Rev 20:12-21:1,
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire . This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire . NKJV
Prepare now and avoid the clamity that is to befall the wicked - Eccl. 12:13-14
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man's all.
14 For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil. NKJV
Editor, Garreth L. Clair
April 18, 2005
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