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The Bible and Circular Reasoning

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When referencing the Bible as the source of truth, Christians are often accused of circular reasoning.  Circular reasoning is a logical fallacy known as begging the question, where the person merely assumes what he or she is attempting to prove, or when the premise of an argument actually depends on its conclusion.[i]  Begging the question fallacies are valid arguments (the conclusion follows from the premise), but are, nonetheless fallacious because they are arbitrary.

However, when appealing to an ultimate truth or authority, a certain amount of circular reasoning is unavoidable.  Hebrews 6:13 records, “For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself.”[ii] When God appealed to a higher authority, He could only appeal to Himself, for there is no one higher than God.

Man, on the other hand, always appeals to God because God is a higher authority than man and He is the ultimate source of truth.  Even unbelievers instinctively know that God is the ultimate authority and source of truth.  Watching T.V. this weekend, I heard unbelievers and secularists appeal to God numerous times.  Specifically, with these phrases, “I swear to God,” “Oh my God,” “then God help us,” and one person, after seeing an explosion, cried out, “God Almighty.”

Secularists and other unbelievers will often ask us to leave the Bible out of discussions about truth.  Or perhaps, they will accuse us of circular reasoning.  But how can we know anything without the Bible? And, how could you give any kind of explanation without the Bible? Those who start with the assumption that human reasoning is sufficient apart from God’s revelation have already arbitrarily decided that the Bible is not true. It would be like trying to win an argument by saying, “Let’s start by assuming that you are wrong. And then I can prove that you are wrong.” It wouldn’t make sense to agree to those terms.[iii]

God’s special revelation, the Bible, tells us that we can know God exists by studying creation (Rom 1:20). The Bible claims to be the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) and, genuine knowledge must begin with God’s revelation (Colossians 2:3).  Therefore, we must study God’s word to know what is true (2 Timothy 2:15).

So, in discussions, explanations, or arguments, don’t leave out the Bible.  It is the ultimate source of all truth.

[i] (Lisle, 2010)

[ii] (The Holy Bible, New King James Version, 1982)

[iii] (Lisle D. J., 2008)

(1982). The Holy Bible, New King James Version. Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Lisle, D. J. (2008, December 5). Feedback: Put the Bible Down. Retrieved May 27, 2013, from Answers in Genesis: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2008/12/05/feedback-put-the-bible-down

Lisle, J. (2010). Discerning Truth. Green Forest: Master Books.

Kid’s Corner Coming Soon!

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img007            Hi, my name is Ellie Huff. I am very excited to be starting this blog for kids. If you have not heard, Ready Truth is setting up a Kids Corner. This is a special spot on this website for kids. I will be writing on fun kid subjects. We will be searching out the Christian and the worldly influences in our culture.  I hope you get the chance to read my views on these subjects.

Aladdin   

  I am very glad to start Kid’s Corner. I have decided to give my views on some of the movies I have watched in my life time.

            I believe Walt Disney Pictures is one of the best movie producers. I watch their fun movies and shows on Disney Channel. My favorites have obviously been the princess movies because they have beautiful girls learning all sorts of life lessons. Aladdin has been one I have had challenges with. The atmosphere of this movie has taken place in the Middle East. There are many lively colors that make this picture so astonishing. Although this movie is very amazing looking and unique, it has many wrong views. The two I wanted to look at are the evolution thoughts and how the writers allowed the praising of Allah in a children’s movie.

            In the beginning of this movie, when Aladdin finds the lamp, the genie emerges from the item. He looks so large, great and powerful, and says ” Ten thousand years can give you such a crick in the neck.” Now the producers make this look like a funny scene about the introduction of the genie. This particular part in the story has been very popular for a long time. As a child, I still think this is funny, but as a Christian, I think I can use this as a tool to start a conversation and share the gospel with others.

            The second thing I would like to have others see in this movie is that the praising of Allah was encouraged.  Aladdin arrives at the palace of Jasmine the princess is trying to find a prince. Aladdin has used one of his three wishes to become a prince so he can marry her. Jasmine refuses to marry him until he takes her on a romantic magic carpet ride. She decides to marry Aladdin and the two tell Jasmines father. He was so happy that he proclaimed, “Praise Allah”. This is showing that the writers were showing him and his family as Muslims. I certainly do not agree with this view on a children’s movie, but it helps me to define my Christianity from Islamic views. We have strayed away from our Christian World that God wanted us to have.

            I wanted to share these points with you to say that us kids may be small but we are the next generation and we need to bring our nation back to its Christian foundation.  This can be a great way to also share the gospel with others. Even if you just talk to a person for a second or two about the views of this movie and your views. I hope I have given you some things to think about.

Is Christianity just like other religions? Syncretism Part 3

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Can’t we just all get along, seems to be the motto of the day. One can just mix religions and all would be fine, but is that really true? This is the third podcast dealing with syncretism because it is a drifting shift in the evangelical church. Jesus was very clear about the path of the gospel and as Christians we can learn to winsomely share these truths. Listen to your Talking Truth today with Pastor Mark D. DeMoss and Deanna Huff.

TT Syncretism 3 blending ideas April 4 13

What does Easter have to do with Good News?

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When people begin thinking about spring, most often bright colors, Easter dresses and celebrations come to mind. In the stores, we typically find colored egg packets, baskets filled with candies and little stuffed bunnies. In the newspapers one can normally locate sales for Easter dresses and news about the community egg hunts taking place. But is there more to Easter than bunnies, eggs and candy? Is there a greater message for the world to hear? Yes, it is called the Good News.

So, what is this Good News? In order to get to the good news, we must first start with the bad news. The bad news is that you and I have sinned against God. How do I know this? God granted us the Ten Commandments as a mirror to reveal our true nature, and show us our sin. Take the test yourself and see if you pass.

  1. Have you ever had any other gods before God?
  2. Have you ever had any idols that hinder your full devotion to God?
  3. Have you ever taken the Lord’s name in vain?
  4. Have you always kept the Sabbath day holy?
  5. Have you always honored your mother and father?
  6. Have you ever killed anyone?
  7. Have you ever committed adultery?
  8. Have you ever stolen anything?
  9. Have you ever born false witness against your neighbor?
  10. Have you ever coveted what your neighbor has?

You may be tempted to justify, the one time you lied, or the one time you were not honoring to your parents or even the one time you may have coveted what someone else had. You may even consider yourself to be a good person in spite of the fact that in your conscience you know that you have broken at least one of these commands. Well, here is the bad news. The Bible says if you have broken one of them, then you have broken them all, because it just takes one to break your relationship with God. And since we have sinned against God, the punishment for sin is death. But, here is the GOOD NEWS!

Jesus, came to earth over two-thousand years ago and walked a sinless life. He did not break one of the Ten Commandments. He died on the cross for the punishment of sin and rose on the third day that we might receive life everlasting. “For God, so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses resulting in salvation” (Rom. 10:9-10). “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (Romans 8:1). “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17).

Now that is Good News and it is the very news that Christians celebrate on Easter Sunday, also known as Resurrection Sunday. We celebrate Christ who was raised from the dead, who is able to forgive our sins and is returning to take us to live with Him in Heaven forever. Those who believe in Christ, have the opportunity to celebrate the hope of the resurrection everday.

Syncretism – Can we mix Yoga with Christianity?

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You may have noticed over the last twenty years, the acceptance of mixing Christianity with other religions. Is this ok? Should we consider the differences which are incompatible and the consequences that will follow? Can we blend just anything with Christianity? Listen to your Talking Truth today with Pastor Mark D. DeMoss and Deanna Huff and find out if this is a new idea and if it can be compatible with Christianity.

Click on the following link.

TT Syncretism March 14 13

 

 

No Ordinary Water

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Water is an essential for the body. In the medical field, the Mayo Clinic research, indicates that water makes up about 60% of your body weight. Water benefits many areas in the body every day. Water is able to regulate the body functions, protect tissues and joints. Water helps remove toxins in the body and it helps to protect organs. Water also carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, as well as enhances the brain to think faster, give more focus and clarity. Water helps cleanse the body from toxins and give the best opportunity for a healthy body.

There is another type of water that is not your everyday ordinary water and it is very important to all humanity. Jesus, of the Holy Bible, called it living water and we can learn about it in a story known as, The Woman at the Well.  “There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)  Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?”Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

Now one can see that Jesus is making a claim, that He gives a living water that will quench thirst forever. How can this be when we need water every day? This is definitely no ordinary water. With further reading one will note that this water He is giving meets a spiritual need over a physical need. Jesus understands that man has been stained by sin which breaks fellowship with God. “The Old Testament uses the metaphor of living water to describe the spiritual cleansing and new life that comes at salvation through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit”. There is only one way to receive this living water. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

If you have been satisfied by the living water of Christ in your life, find someone who is spiritually thirsty and share the living water with them. Recall the woman at the well, she did not realize her need for the living water. If you read further in the passage, you will notice Christ helped her recognize her need for the living water. Remember this is no ordinary water, because it gives life eternal.

Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37