Contents of this Issue - -

Front Page - In Due Season We Shall Reap, by Jon Quinn

The Prodigal's Journey (Lk. 15:11-32), by Jon Quinn

The Death & Resurrection Of The Body (1 Cor. 15:42-44), by Wayne Walker

Responding To The Wanderer (Jas. 5:19-20), by Warren E. Berkley

The Worth of a Child (Lk. 2:21-24), by Kenneth Peden

Topic Page - The Claims of Jesus Christ, by Jon Quinn

Plan of Salvation

Final Page - The Decline of Darwin, by Warren E. Berkley

Front Page 10.12
In Due Season We Shall Reap
By Jon W. Quinn


Sometimes it is tempting to become cynical and give up. It is important that during times of distress that the Christian always seek to do that which is right. We are told "not to grow weary in well doing." Why? What's the use? The promise is made: "For in due season we shall reap." (Galatians 6:9).

The Psalmist described that season of reaping as a day of prepared tables and cups that overflow; of goodness and mercy and of "dwelling in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23). The New Testament reminds us that God is not so unjust that He would forget our work and love (Hebrews 6:10). We are challenged to live in hope, to keep on doing that which is good and to trust in God for the results. To live in hope will make this life better as we prepare for the next.

All of us have our weaknesses, but God's strength upon which we can choose to depend never diminishes. The Scriptures ask, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator.. does not become weary or tired... He gives strength to the weary. And to him who lacks might He increases power... Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up like eagles..." (Excerpts from Isaiah 40:28-31).

It was Peter, James and John that went up the mountain with Jesus. They were overwhelmed by what they saw and heard that day. It was awesome in every since of the word. We use the word "awesome" a lot. Even about things that are not awesome; like a football game or a movie or a car. But those things are not awesome. They might be interesting or exciting or even surprising. But here is awesome: Consider Matthew 17:2 ; 5-6 ; "And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. "

Now, why did these three men fall on the ground like that? Was it because they had the utmost respect for Jesus as believers? No! Anyone would have felt similarly. Suppose it had not been Peter, James and John with Jesus, but rather Herod, or Pilate, or even Caesar. Would these ungodly men have felt no awe? I suggest they would have been overcome with awe and with terror as well.

There will be nothing but awe when we see the glorified Son of God at the last moment of this universe's existence. This awe will not fill the hearts of only believers and disciples, but also the unbeliever, the doubter, the hypocrite, the blasphemer, the mocker. No tough guys that day! There will be awe and terror on the part of some, and awe and joy on the part of others. Let Jesus be your Lord and Savior. Let that final moment be one of victory. Obey His gospel and live for Him. Your eternal blessings are waiting. Yes, "For in due season we shall reap."

 

The Prodigal's Journey
(Luke 15:11-32)
By Jon W. Quinn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am sure that most are familiar with the Lord's parable that has come to be known as "the parable of the prodigal son". But, just in case, below is a rendition of the parable. It is entitled "Melody in F (The Prodigal Son)" and, well, when you read it, you'll get the idea. Though I do not know the original author, I found this several years ago on the internet at the web site of my co editor and friend, Warren E Berkley.


Melody in F
(The Prodigal Son)
(author unknown)

Feeling footloose and frisky,
a featherbrained fellow
Forced his fond father to fork
over the farthings.
And flew far to foreign fields
And frittered his fortune
feasting
Fabulously with faithless
friends.

Fleeced by his fellows in
folly, and facing
Famine, he found himself a
feed-flinger in a
Filthy farm yard.
Fairly famished, he fain
would have filled
His frame with foraged food
from fodder
Fragments.

"Fooey, my father's flunkies fare far finer,"
The frazzled fugitive forlornly fumbled,
frankly
Facing facts. Frustrated by failure, and filled
with foreboding,
He fled forthwith to his family.

Falling at his father's feet, he forlornly
fumbled,
"Father, I've flunked, and fruitlessly forfeited
Family fellowship & favor."
The far-sighted father, forestalling
Further flinching, frantically flagged the flunkies to
Fetch a fatling from the flock
and fix a feast.

The fugitive's fault-finding
brother frowned on fickle
forgiveness of former
folderol.

But the faithful father figured,
"Filial fidelity is fine, but the
fugitive is found! What
forbids fervent festivity? Let flags be unfurled!
Let fanfares flare!"

Father's forgiveness formed
the foundation for the
former fugitive's future
fortitude!
~~~~~~~~~~

Now, I have heard the parable many times, but never quite like that! However, it is accurate with the facts, but I must confess I prefer Jesus' version. Consider the message of the parable of the prodigal son.

Background to the Parable
"Now all the tax-gatherers and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1,2).

The love that Jesus had for sinners is so obvious, and a very stark contrast with the disdain the Pharisees had for them. Jesus tried to help them find the way to purity and life; to overcome their sins and rise above the world. The Pharisees merely tried to maintain their distance. It must be noted that Jesus never condoned the sins of the sinners, nor did He ignore them. He addressed them directly and counseled the abandonment of sin and darkness. In fact, that is one of the things that the parable of the prodigal son is about, as seen in the penitent son, but it is also about the Father's love and forgiveness (as seen in the father) as well as the bad attitudes toward sinners on the parts of the Pharisees (as seen in the older brother).
The parable may be read in Luke 15:11-32. By the way, the term "prodigal" does not occur in the parable. The word means "wasteful" and the younger son was certainly wasteful, but the parable is as much about the unrighteous attitude of the older son toward his brother as it is about his brother's wastefulness. It could be called "the parable of the brother with the bad attitude" or, for that matter, it could also be called "the parable of the loving father" as well.

Lessons From The Parable of the Prodigal Son
1) Rebellion (Luke 15:11-16): "...father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me... (Luke 15:12). The son's rebellion began not by doing or asking for something that was not rightfully his. It was his inheritance, and it was perfectly legal to ask for it and up to the father whether to dispense it at that time or not.

But, the request showed that already the rebellious spirit of the younger son was growing. It was a seeking to loose the control of the leadership of the father over the son; it was a rejection of the father's wisdom and guidance. The son's priorities were becoming warped, and he obviously was looking for something else than the security of home and the companionship found there. He was looking to replace his relationship with loved ones with pleasures of the world. He was heading for trouble.
 

Further, the text says, "And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living." (Luke 15:13). There's an old saying, "Be careful what you ask for, you may get it." That seems appropriate here. Many times, what we ask for is not necessarily what is best for us. For this young man, moving to a "far country" promised pleasure, independence and freedom. But ultimately, after a while, it delivered only slavery (John 8:34; Romans 6:19-23; 12-14).
 

2) Repentance (Luke 15:17-19): "But when he came to himself... I will go to my father and say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and am no longer worthy to be called your son...'" (Luke 15:17,21). It took hitting rock bottom for the young man to figure out what had to be done. The word "repent" means to undergo a change of heart and attitude. Living among the pigs and eating garbage had given a much needed "attitude adjustment".

Note that there are really two things that led this man to follow through and act upon his change of heart. First, his own predicament, as noted above. But also, there was his knowledge of his father's goodness, as seen in his statements regarding how his father provides plenty even for his hired servants. Those are the two things that work together to bring about our repentance as well; acceptance of our own spiritual poverty and a comprehension of God's goodness and riches.
Thankfully, the young man did not stop here. He acted. If he had failed to act, he would have only been filled with continued remorse and regret. But because he acted, there is something better in store!

3) Rejoicing (Luke 15:20-24): "But while he was a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20). What a wonderful reunion! The younger son begins with the speech which, though he had carefully rehearsed it, nevertheless spoke of what was genuinely on his heart. But the father interrupted him. The past was sorrowful, but it was the past. The present was joyful, so why return to the past? Another important point here: the young man was not saved by the father's love, and neither are we saved by God's love. The father had always loved the son, and God loves the whole world. Love makes salvation possible, but it does not save unless it is responded to.

How sad that the older son was not in a more festive mood. What a happier person he would have been if he had been less envious of his brother's special time. So much was lost by this older son. He stayed outside and pouted, excluding himself from the father's joy. Envy, jealousy, selfishness and self-righteousness does not make us happier people.
 

Finally, note the following 'mini-lesson":
 

The prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) Jesus (John 14:6)
 

a. was lost (v. 24) "I am the way"
b. was deluded (v.17) "I am the truth"
c. was "dead" (v. 24) "I am the life"
 

The Death and Resurrection of the Body
(1 Corinthians 15:42-44)
By Wayne S. Walker


Most people try to take care of their bodies. We usually eat good food, take baths, see the doctor when we are sick, brush our teeth, visit the dentist twice a year, get our eyes checked, wear nice looking clothes, fix our hair, and maybe even exercise some. All of this is for the well-being and enhancement of the physical body. However, someday, no matter what we do, we are going to die, and our bodies will be put in the grave where they will return to the dust of the ground from whence they came, unless Jesus comes first.

Yet, just as surely as the body without the spirit dies, so when Jesus does return, the bodies of all who have or will have died will be raised from the dead and reunited with their spirits. In 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, Paul talks about the death and resurrection of the body. "So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in honor. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body."

It is very important to note that Paul is not discussing the nature and immortality of the soul in this passage. Rather, he is talking about what happens to the body in both death and the resurrection. Some have misused this passage to teach "conditional immortality," affirming that even our souls cannot be considered immortal until after the resurrection of the dead. However, the subject is introduced in verse 35. "But someone will say, 'How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?'" The topic which Paul is addressing is not the soul but the body. What does Paul have to say about this?

First, he says that it is sown in corruption and raised in incorruption. The word "corruption" apparently refers to the fact that the body is physical and will decay, as God has said (Genesis 2:7, 3:19; Ecclesiastes 12:7). It will be put in the ground and return to the elements from which it was made. However, when it is raised, it will never again be subject to decay but will be incorruptible. This, which is now corruption, will in the resurrection will put on incorruption (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). The reason is that we shall be fitted for an inheritance that is incorruptible (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Second, Paul says that the body is sown in dishonor and raised in glory. Why sown in dishonor? This probably refers to the fact that we are guilty of sin (Romans 3:23, 5:12). The body or flesh has been the instrument through which we have committed these sins (Romans 8:5-8). However, at least for the righteous, the body will be raised in glory because it will then be perfect or sinless, like Christ's glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21, 1 John 3:1-3).

Third, Paul says that the body is sown in weakness and raised in power. The very weakness of this physical body is seen in the fact that it wears out, dies, and then decays. In John 11:38-39, after Lazarus became sick and died, Jesus came and commanded the stone of his burial place to be removed. Martha, and probably everyone else there, was amazed because a body that had been in the tomb for four days would be repulsive and offensive. After the body dies, man does not have the power to bring it back to life, in spite of all those horror movies about "the living dead." However, God has power to raise the dead and will do so at the end of time (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Fourth, Paul says that the body is sown a natural body and raised a spiritual body. The idea of the natural body here is simply that which is physical by nature and hence mortal or subject to death (Romans 6:12-13, James 2:26). However, while the body that is raised will be the same body, it will no longer be natural or physical but spiritual. Paul talks about a change taking place; hence, it will be different in nature. In 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 Paul talks about the destruction of our earthly house or tent, referring to death, and then being clothed with our habitation which is from heaven.

Paul illustrates this change with the sowing of wheat. "Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain, perhaps wheat or some other grain. But God gives it a body a He pleases, and to each seed its own body" (1 Corinthians 15:36-38). When we sow a seed, it must die in order to produce a new plant. The plant that comes forth is not the same seed that was planted. It is like the one from which the seed came, but it is still different because it is new life.

One other thing that we need to remember is that in this passage Paul is primarily talking about the resurrection of the righteous. Yes, all of the dead, both righteous and unrighteous, will be raised at the same time (John 5:28-29). However, the blessings of the resurrection that Paul discusses in these verses are reserved for those who are righteous (Philippians 3:10-11). All will be raised, but only the righteous will attain unto the resurrection of life.
 

Responding To The Wanderer

Jas. 5:19-20

Warren E. Berkley

“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins,” (Jas. 5:19-20).

The Danger: Wandering from the truth. To wander is “to ramble here and there without any certain course or with no definite object in view; to range about; to stroll; to rove; as, to wander over the fields,” (Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary). In this verse the word identifies a departure or erring from divine truth (see ASV, “err from the truth”). God reveals truth to man for man’s salvation and guidance, and unto His glory. For that purpose to be achieved, man’s response must be to obey the truth (see 1 Pet. 1:2). Failure to obey the truth yields the consequence of “tribulation and anguish,” (see Rom. 2:9). Now the Bible teaches, even though you may offer an initial obedient response to the gospel, if you later stop obeying the truth – that wandering from the truth brings you back to the outcomes of “tribulation and anguish.” It is possible to embrace the truth of the gospel and be baptized into Christ, but wander from the truth at some point after baptism and be lost (2 Pet. 2:21-22; Gal. 5:1-6).  Note twelve examples of how this might occur: (1) by dishonesty (Acts 5:3); (2) by returning to the world (2 Tim. 4:10), (3) by thinking and asking for what you have no right to have (Acts 8:19), (4) by causing strife (1 Cor. 3:1-4), (5) by involvement in sexual immorality (1 Cor. 5:1), (6) by silent endorsement of sexual immorality (1 Cor. 5:9), (7) by advancing or embracing another gospel (Gal. 1:6-12), (8) by involvement in any work of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21), (9) by letting a false teacher defraud you of your reward (Col. 2:18), (10) by indifference (Rev. 3:16), (11) teaching error (2 Pet. 2:1), (12) failure to grow (2 Pet. 3:18).  Clearly, there is this danger of wandering from the truth. The purpose and prayer of every Christian should be: “Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!” (Psa. 119:10b).

“The case supposed is the apostasy of a professing Christian. We must notice, at the outset, the supreme importance which our apostle ascribes here, and throughout his Epistle (James 1:18, 21-23; 3:14), to ‘the truth.’ He strikes as loyal a note as Paul does, regarding the necessity of ‘consenting’ to sound doctrine if one would live the Christian life. He assumes that all backsliding is aberration from the truth. His words cover both forms which apostasy may take — errors of creed and of conduct.” (Pulpit Commentary, C. Jerdan)

Those at Risk: Anyone. Everyone should give heed to this, whoever we are! Years of experience afford no exemption from apostasy. Popularity or status among brethren not only provides no safety, but may in some cases increase temptation. Based on everything the Bible says about the devil, we should know – as soon as we deceive ourselves into thinking we have arrived, he sees an opportunity to destroy us. Every Christian should regularly confess what Paul admitted: “…I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus,” (Phil. 3:13-14). We must always count ourselves at risk, vulnerable to the subtle assaults of the devil. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world,” (1 Pet. 3:8,9). “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall,” (1 Cor. 10:12).

The Rescue: Someone turns him back. This is the seeking of the faithful to recover the unfaithful. This is prompted by the same motive as in Galatians 6:1 – “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” And this is the spirit illustrated by the Lord when He told this story: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:4-7). The instruction is not, to whisper and gossip about the wanderer, but to appeal to the sinner to repent. The action required is the faithful use of the Word to convict and convince the sinner to come back (1 Tim. 4:16). {Consider, the tongue is an instrument of evil, as described in Jas. 3. Here, the tongue can be applied to higher use as we speak the truth in love to save the erring.}

The Aim: Save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. The aim is not a medal on your chest or a feather in your cap. The aim is not simply numerical recovery for the group. The work of recovering the sinner is to save a soul from death and thereby prevent (in the sinner’s repentance), the multitude of sins that would be practiced in the absence of repentance. The “death” of this verse must be spiritual death (separation from God by sin), for that is the only kind of “death” that one can be saved from in repentance. “No duty laid upon Christians is more in keeping with the mind of their Lord, or more expressive of Christian love, than the duty of reclaiming the backslider,” (R.V.G. Tasker).

“ ‘Let him know,’ (ver. 20). These animating words express the main thought in the text. The Christian worker must not forget that to restore an erring soul is one of the noblest of achievements. It is a far grander triumph than even to save a man’s natural life. Let him remember this for his comfort in thinking of the work which he has already done, and for his encouragement in seeking to do more. It is inspiring to realize that one has plucked brands from the everlasting burning, and helped to add new jewels to Immanuel’s crown. God works for this end; and as often as it is gained, there is joy in heaven in the presence of the angels. For this the apostles labored. For this the martyrs bled. For this evangelists toil.” (Pulpit Commentary, C. Jerdan).

The Worth of a Child

By Kenneth R. Peden

Luke 2:21-24 “And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And when the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

Of all God’s gifts there is none so precious, so valuable, as that of a child.  I am astonished to realize that our nation is so confused over such a natural realization.  Well after the twenty-fifth anniversary of Roe V. Wade, Americans are deaf to the crying blood of innocent children. Our senses have become numb to the mounting casualties of selfishness and vanity better know as “pro-choice.” It is time that we awaken to realize the value of life. It is time to realize the immutable fact that God has placed within every child an eternal soul.

Children are valuable to God. So precious were they to Jehovah that under Mosaic Law, the first born male of every woman belonged to God.  According to the law Exodus 13:2 every firstborn male, was sacred to God. That law was in recognition of the gracious power of God in giving human life. And God intended for parents to recognize the value of the children.  There was therefore a ceremony called the Redemption of the Firstborn Numbers 18: 16.  It was laid down that for the sum of five shekels parents could, as it were, buy back their son from God. The sum was paid to the priests.

But this was only the beginning of a parent’s responsibility to their gift of a child. Forty to eighty day alter birth, at the end of purification a woman would bring a lamb to the Temple for a burnt offering and a young pigeon for a sin offering (Leviticus 1:2). That was an expensive sacrifice, and so the law laid down, Leviticus 12: 8 that if she could not afford the lamb she might bring another pigeon. The offering of the two pigeons instead of the lamb and the pigeon was called “The Offering of the Poor.” It was this offering which Mary brought but Mary’s obligation to that child did not end there.  Indeed much effort would be put into teaching a child the way of God.  Above all the teaching, every year there was to be an expensive trip to Jerusalem for the feast days. Raising a child then was just as expensive as it is now! But somehow all of the diaper bills, lunch money, fund-raisers, shopping trips, extra-curricular activities, car insurance etc. etc. etc. are not so painful when you realize the value of even one child. Mary was conscientious concerning her obligations to God as she reared our Lord. What we must do today is no different than what she did so long ago.  Namely, to know the value of every child, to own up to our responsibility to raise them and to be thankful that God gave us the opportunity to do so.

The Stoics used to say that a child was not given to a parent but only lent. I agree. As parents, our prime concern should be to return these children to God undamaged. How often do you thank God for your children? How often do you pray for those children and parents who are less fortunate than you? Have you prayed for our law-makers to change their hearts and learn the value of life? If Christians are not fighting the good fight, who will?             

Topic Page

The Claims of Jesus

By Jon W. Quinn

Who was Jesus. No one has made claims for himself like Jesus, and no one has had others to make claims in his behalf like those made about Jesus by those who knew Him.

Some have tried to say Jesus was a good moral teacher or maybe even a prophet from God on the same level as Moses, Mohammed and others. Others say He was a "new age" guru of some sort. If we seriously consider the claims Jesus made for himself, we can see that these options are not possible. Either Jesus is God in the flesh, the Creator, Savior and Judge of all mankind for all times or he is the greatest deceiver that ever lived. There is no middle ground.

My Father and I
"But He answered them, 'My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.' For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God." (John 5:17,18). Jesus said "My Father", not "Our Father". For speakers of English in the 21st century, this does not sound unusual, but Jesus was speaking to Jews in the first century so they would understand a deeply significant claim Jesus was making. By saying "My Father", He claimed to have a special relationship with God unique to Him alone. Jesus is the "only begotten from the Father" (John 1:14).

Those who heard Jesus knew exactly what He was saying, and did not like it at all! They understood that Jesus was claiming equality with Go and Jesus does not seek to correct them. Unfortunately, they do not accept His claim to do was work like no other person has ever claimed. (John 5:21).

To Honor Jesus as We Honor God
"...so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." (John 5:23-24). The Jews were wanting to kill Jesus because He was claiming to be equal to God. They thought Him guilty of blasphemy. Never once did He suggest that they had misunderstood His words. Instead, He claimed that He was to be honored exactly as the Father is honored. This would have outraged those who were already very angry. But note: it is right to give the same honor to Jesus as we give to the Father

The Judge of All
"For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son." (John 5:22). What a claim! To be the judge of all humanity! Is this claim true or not? But wait, there is more! Jesus said, "For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment." (John 5:26-29).
 

If these claims are false, Jesus was the greatest liar or completely crazy. If these claims are true, we must follow every word He said!

The Scriptures Spoke of Him
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me..." (John 5:39). Jesus claimed that He was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. What was prophesied of concerning the Messiah? He was (and is) the everlasting and light of the world; the Redeemer and the Servant. What sane man in all of history has ever made claims like this?

To Know Jesus is to Know God
"So they were saying to Him, 'Where is Your Father?' Jesus answered, 'You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.'" (John 8:19; see also John 14:8,9). The ramifications of this statement are similar to the other claims which Jesus made. To know God, we must focus on Jesus. Otherwise, we cannot know God.

"I Am"
"Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.' Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple." (John 8:58-59)
 

This was a clear reference to the time when Jehovah appeared to Moses at the burning bush. The Jews would not misunderstand the significance of these words and sought to kill Him for blasphemy in taking Jehovah's self-designation upon Himself. (Exodus 3:13,14)

Worship Jesus
"And he said, 'Lord, I believe.' And he worshiped Him." (John 9:38). Jesus accepted worship of Himself. He also pointed out such would be wrong if He were not God, and yet He often accepted worship from others and never forbade such. By accepting that which He taught belonged only unto God, He was making yet another claim at equality with God (Matthew 4:10; cf. Matthew 14:33; 28:9). If He were not God, then the righteous thing to do would be to reject worship of Himself and rebuke those who offered it to Him, the way others did (Acts 10:25,26; 14:12-18; Revelation 19:10).

Jesus is Equal With God
"I and the Father are one." The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, "I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?" The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God." (John 10:30-33).

The word translated "one" (Greek = hen) means to be of one essence or nature. The Pharisees understood what He meant but they refused to consider if His claims were true. They were going to stone Him to death according to the penalty for blasphemy in the Law of Moses (Leviticus 24:16).
 

Do you believe Jesus, or not? An honest person would not make the claims He made if they were not true. A liar would not come up with the moral teachings of Jesus, and why would a fraud go to Jerusalem, knowing he would be killed? A crazy person would not be in complete control of Himself in every situation as Jesus was. The Sermon on the Mount is not the words of a crazy man.

Jesus made great claims. We believe that His claims must be true. His empty tomb suggests likewise. "...who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord..." (Romans 1:4).

The Plan of Salvation

        By Jon  W. Quinn

Plan #1

    Announced by the apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to new believers in Christ  who had asked what they must do:

     "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and you shall receive the gift of  the Holy Spirit."  (ACTS 2:38)

Plan #2

    On the back page of a tract, sinner were urged to pray this prayer to be saved. This  prayer is not found in the Bible; nor were alien sinners commanded to pray for their forgiveness.

The Sinner's Prayer:

    "O' Lord, I accept that I am a sinner and that Jesus died for my sins. I now accept Him into my heart as Lord and Savior asking for your mercy and forgiveness in His name. Amen."

The editors of Expository Files are happy with plan #1 and thankful to the God of all grace for it. We cannot recommend Plan #2 at all, but will change our minds when this prayer can be shown  to us in the Bible.

Final Page

The Decline of Darwin:

Gradually Evolving In The Text Books

Warren E. Berkley

News reports were published early in November here in Texas of changes in state high school text books. The State Board of Education adopted new high school biology books “that fully discuss evolution, rejecting the pleas of social conservatives and other critics of Charles Darwin and his theory of how life on Earth evolved.”

Based on source material cited as “The Discovery Institute,” the Dallas Morning News report (Nov. 7, 2003) showed these changes in text material:

Formerly: “Darwin’s theory of natural selection is the essence of biology.” Changed to: “Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection provides a consistent explanation for life’s diversity.”

Formerly: “Since Darwin’s time, many of these [evolutionary] intermediates have been found.” Changed to: “Since Darwin’s time, some of these intermediates have been found, while others have not.”

While those of us who accept Biblical information regret the continued Darwin idol, notice something that may at first be subtle. While the biology texts approved for use in Texas continue to give some weight to Darwin - - the specific references are being weakened.

Why? Because the honest scientists of our time have less confidence in Darwin; even those who may not want to embrace the Biblical account. There is a movement in the scientific community away from Darwin and toward what some have called the “Higher Intelligence” model.

In 1859 Darwin published a book that became a celebrated work a century later – The Origin of Species. It was actually in a later work, The Descent of Man – that Darwin applied his theory of evolution to man. The Darwinian model was accepted as the standard explanation – the basis of the theory of evolution –  over many years. Recently, however, the Darwinian hypothesis that held an academic monopoly has lost ground. Many books have been written and published to show the now known fallacies in Darwinian theory. The power formerly vested in Darwin is eroding and that is observed in the Texas biology text books. They are downplaying Darwin, even if slightly; sadly, they are upholding the same model, but implying the weakness of it in adopted text book changes. Stephen Jay Gould, once pronounced Darwinism “effectively dead.” This “revision” of Darwinian authority is slowly trickling down to the text books.

Regarding the origin of man, the question is settled in Jesus’ teaching: God made male and female in the beginning (Matt. 19:4).

Further Note:

“Intelligent Design” is an approach to origins of life, affirming that intelligent causes best explain living systems, their order, beauty and endurance. This is based on the empirically-testable assumption that systems which exhibit complexity or “high information content” are the result of an Intelligent Designer, rather than undirected, random, natural causes (as claimed by the Darwinian Evolutionists). Those subscribing to Intelligent Design claim that living things are too complex to have simply happened by chance. Not all scientist who teach this are creationists.

Here are a few of the publications offering this as more credible than the Darwinian model:

Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution.

by Behe, Michael. 1996. New York: The Free Press.

{For an interesting study on what Intelligent Design is,

read this interview with Behe - http://www.origins.org/mc/resources/ri9602/behe.html}

The Wedge of Truth: Splitting the Foundations of Naturalism

            by Phillip E. Johnson (Inter Varsity Press, 2000)

Icons of Evolution: Why Much of What we Teach about Evolution is Wrong.

            by Jonathan Wells (http://www.iconsofevolution.com)

Icons of Evolution: The Growing Scientific Controversy Over Darwin

            Video produced by ColdWater Media, LLC

The Triumph of Design and the Demise of Darwin

            Documentary by Jack Cashill (http://www.triumphofdesign.com)

Final Note - EF has been "on top of this" (not in the evolutionary sense!) from "the beginning" of our publication. Here is a copy of my co-editor's work a few years ago: