(14828,1,'2023-03-21 10:47:42','2023-03-21 10:47:42','In Part One we observed that unbelievers cannot see the beauty of God’s holiness—that which forms the beauty of His every attribute—and therefore seek to deny His existence or redefine His nature. We turn now to Jonathan Edwards for some examples of how spiritual sight of the beauty of holiness in God and divine things opens our eyes to a whole “new world.”<sup><a href=\"\\&quot;#quote1\\&quot;\">[1]</a></sup> To behold the loveliness of God’s moral excellence changes our view of far more things than we often realize.\r\n\r\nThe Beauty of God’s Works\r\nThe sight of the beauty of God’s holiness opens our spiritual eyes to a right view of the goodness and purity of every act of God. As the streams of a fountain reflect their source, so God’s works radiate the quality of His nature. The “special glory” of everything God does consists of the “holiness, righteousness, faithfulness and goodness” displayed in them, without which God’s “power and skill” that produced them would have no glory. Indeed, “The glorifying of God\\\'s moral perfections, is the special end of all the works of God\\\'s hands.”<sup><a href=\"\\&quot;#quote2\\&quot;\">[2]</a></sup>\r\n\r\nThe Sufficiency of Christ as Mediator\r\nIn the beauty of Christ’s holiness, the believer sees “the preciousness of his blood and its sufficiency to atone for sin.” Why? Because it flowed from such an excellent and lovable savior and stands on the infinite merit of His obedience and the sufficiency and success of His work on our behalf.<sup><a href=\"\\&quot;#quote3\\&quot;\">[3]</a></sup>\r\n\r\nThe Beauty of God’s Way of Salvation\r\nWhen believers see the moral excellence of God and his works, they see the beauty of salvation by Christ as the “moral perfections of God” radiate “in every step” of its accomplishment. We see “the true evil of sin: for he who sees the beauty of holiness, must necessarily see the hatefulness of sin, its contrary.” We see how God’s way of salvation in Christ meets our need of deliverance from sin and condemnation in hell, and how it secures our eternal happiness in a manner consistent with God’s holy perfections, the way designed for that purpose by God’s holy wisdom.<sup><a href=\"\\&quot;#quote4\\&quot;\">[4]</a></sup>\r\n\r\nThe Excellence of Scripture\r\nBy the sight of the holiness of Scripture we see its excellence and reliability.\r\n<blockquote>Take away all the moral beauty and sweetness in the Word, and the Bible is left wholly a dead letter, a dry, lifeless, tasteless thing. By this is seen the true foundation of our duty; the worthiness of God to be so esteemed, honored, loved, submitted to, and served, as he requires of us, and the amiableness of the duties themselves that are required of us.<sup><a href=\"\\&quot;#quote5\\&quot;\">[5]</a></sup></blockquote>\r\nThe Glory and Happiness of Heaven and the Saints\r\nBy our new sense of God’s moral excellence, we “understand the true glory of heaven, which consists in the beauty and happiness that is in holiness. By this is seen the amiableness and happiness of both saints and angels.”<sup><a href=\"\\&quot;#quote6\\&quot;\">[6]</a></sup> While our justification stands solely on the righteousness of Christ imputed to us in union with Him by faith (the only righteousness that meets the requirements of God’s justice), we also receive the Holy Spirit that produces within us the happy and holy heart of new life. For Edwards, God’s holiness and happiness are one and the same in their mutual interdependence, both in God and in us by the Holy Spirit.<sup><a href=\"\\&quot;#quote7\\&quot;\">[7]</a></sup> Thus, we quench our joy when we quench the Holy Spirit within us.\r\n\r\nAnd as our holiness and happiness are inseparable, our bliss will rise to immeasurable heights when sin is left behind as we depart this life for the next. Christ purchased His bride to make us beautiful and joyful forever.\r\n<blockquote>Christ…also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless” (Eph. 5:25-27).</blockquote>\r\nThe Source of All Right Understanding and Affections\r\nLastly, the beauty of God’s holiness constitutes “the greatest and most important thing in the world…without which all the world is empty” and “worse than nothing.” No beauty exists where the beauty of God’s holiness cannot be seen. Unless God’s beauty can be understood, “nothing is understood, that is worthy of the exercise of the noble faculty of understanding.” God, the “infinite fountain of Good,” would Himself be “infinite evil,” and it would be better that we had never been born or that God had never existed. “He…knows nothing” or has but “the shadow of knowledge” that does not know the beauty of God’s holiness. Thus, Scripture calls those “destitute of that spiritual sense…totally blind, deaf and senseless, yea dead.” The new-birth, then, speaks of God giving this “sense” as “opening the blind eyes and raising the dead, of bringing a person into a new world” to “view nothing as he did before.” He has become “a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:16–17).<sup><a href=\"\\&quot;#quote8\\&quot;\">[8]</a></sup>\r\n\r\nMoreover, nothing of Holy Spirit’s work on the soul, including His “saving influences” and “comforts,” can be experienced without the sight and love of God’s holiness. He who lacks this sense remains “ignorant of the greatest works of God, the most important and glorious effects of his power upon the creature,” and is “wholly ignorant of the saints as saints…and in effect is ignorant of the whole spiritual world.” But from this change in the soul come all “truly gracious affections” toward God and others.<sup><a href=\"\\&quot;#quote9\\&quot;\">[9]</a></sup> In Christ, <span id=\"\\&quot;quote1\\&quot;\"></span> therefore, we have new life, <span id=\"\\&quot;quote2\\&quot;\"></span> with new eyes to behold the glory of a new world, as we delight in the <span id=\"\\&quot;quote3\\&quot;\"></span> beauty of God’s moral excellence.\r\n\r\n<sup>[1]</sup> Insights presented here are gleaned <span id=\"\\&quot;quote4\\&quot;\"></span> from Jonathan Edwards, <em>Religious Affections</em>, <span id=\"\\&quot;quote5\\&quot;\"></span> ed. John E. Smith, vol. 2 of <em>The Works of Jonathan Edwards</em> <span id=\"\\&quot;quote6\\&quot;\"></span> (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1959), 273-75, hereafter referred to as <em>WJE</em>. In the Banner of Truth paperback edition (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1986), see pp. 199-201, hereafter referred to as BoT.\r\n\r\n<sup>[2]</sup> <em>WJE</em>, 2:273; BoT, 199.\r\n\r\n<sup>[3]</sup> <em>WJE</em>, 2:273-4; BoT, 199.\r\n\r\n<sup>[4]</sup> <em>WJE</em>, 2:274; BoT, 199-200.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<sup>[5]</sup> <em>WJE</em>, 2:274; BoT, 200.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<sup>[6]</sup> Ibid.\r\n\r\n<sup>[7]</sup> For Edwards understanding of God’s holiness and <span id=\"\\&quot;quote9\\&quot;\"></span> happiness, see Craig Biehl, <em>The Infinite Merit of Christ: The Glory of Christ’s Obedience in the Theology of Jonathan Edwards</em> (Jackson, MS: Reformed Academic Press, 2009; reprint 2015, Carpenter’s Son Publishing), 26-38.\r\n\r\n<sup>[8]</sup> WJE, 2:274-5; BoT, 200-201.\r\n\r\n<sup>[9]</sup> WJE, 2:275; BoT, 201.\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Spiritual Sight and Blindness (Part 2): Holiness as the Beauty of God and His Works','','inherit','closed','closed','','10652-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:47:42','2023-03-21 10:47:42','',10652,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14828',0,'revision','',0),(14829,1,'2023-03-21 10:47:53','2023-03-21 10:47:53','“I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.” With these beautiful words, John Newton speaks of the marvelous change in his soul, a change purchased by Christ and produced by the Holy Spirit when he turned to Christ for salvation. United to Christ by faith, Mr. Newton owned justification and new life—the perfect righteousness of Christ that met every requirement of God for eternal life and happiness, and the new heart and understanding that loves Christ for the excellence of His person and saving work.\r\n\r\nThe Sight of Unbelief\r\nScripture speaks of unbelievers as blind. “A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Cor. 2:14). Yet, many unbelievers, including unsaved pastors, preachers, and Bible commentators, can tell you exactly what Scripture says about God, creation, Christ, and the Gospel. Unbelievers even “know” God from what He has created such that they are “without excuse” for not honoring and giving Him thanks (Rom. 1:19-21). Judas betrayed Christ after he lived with Him in the inner circle and observed His excellence up-close, while multitudes saw Christ’s miracles and heard His divine words—only to cry for Barabbas. What, then, could they not see? And, if the spiritually blind can know God’s power and understand His message, what were we unable to see before God opened our spiritual eyes?\r\n\r\nNew Things in Christ\r\nNew life brings great change. “If any man is in Christ, <em>he is</em> a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). A new heart and understanding bring a new view of God’s world and Word, and <em>a view of God’s glory</em>. “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). For Christ “is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature” (Heb. 1:3). Yet, “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him” (John 1:10-11). Unbelievers in every age are <em>blind to the glory of God</em> in the person and ministry of Christ. And what did Christ display most clearly and conspicuously? The infinite excellence of God’s perfections. In Christ we see God’s glory in the display of God’s power, goodness, love, wisdom, justice, etc.\r\n\r\nA Vision of Beauty\r\nUnbelievers can know a great deal about God’s attributes from Scripture, from the world around them (Rom. 1:18ff., Psalm 19, etc.), from the “witness” of God giving good things (Act 14:17), and from God’s law written on their hearts (Rom. 2:14-15). But, doesn’t their knowledge of attributes, from which God’s glory radiates, contradict the Bible’s teaching that unbelief is blind to God’s glory? And if not, what facet of God’s perfections can unbelievers not see?\r\n\r\nGod’s glory does indeed flow from His attributes and unbelievers can see and know God’s attributes, <em>but they cannot see their beauty</em>. They cringe at God’s power and authority. They see God’s goodness but reject or define away its source. They know God’s law but prefer to do what is right in their own eyes. They see God’s attributes in Christ but seek to remove the mention of His name from the public square and call the Gospel foolish (1 Cor. 1:18ff.). The knowledge of God confronts unbelievers at every turn, but the love of darkness blinds them to His beauty. What, then, constitutes the beauty of God’s perfections?\r\n\r\nThe Essence of God’s Beauty\r\nTo answer, consider the nature of power, love, and grace. Power, <em>per se</em>, can be good or bad. Both angels and demons possess great power, but we think of angels as lovely and demons as hideous. Why? Angels are holy and demons are unholy. Likewise, a proper love appears wonderful, while the love of evil is an ugly thing. Even grace turns hideous when it perverts justice—just imagine a mere slap on the wrist for a mass murderer. By contrast, the grace of the Gospel remains beautiful as Christ satisfied the holy requirements of God’s justice to purchase our salvation. God’s power radiates beauty as He always acts with moral perfection, while His love glows lovely as spotless and pure. God’s every perfection shines as beautiful by the splendor and purity of holiness.[1]\r\n\r\nThus, the believer’s spiritual eyes have been opened to see the beauty of God’s holiness in the excellence of His every attribute and work. And as the light of His glory reveals our need of Christ by a view of our evil heart and deeds, we embrace Him as our wonderful redeemer <em>and the supreme object of our love</em>. “I once was blind, but now I see.” And what do we see? A beautiful Savior of infinite and holy excellence.\r\n\r\nIn part 2 we will examine marvelous insights of Jonathan Edwards on how the sight of God’s holiness affects our sight of everything, including our sin and the Gospel.\r\n\r\n<sup>[1]</sup> For an excellent treatment of how holiness forms the beauty of God’s attributes, see Jonathan Edwards, <em>Religious Affections</em>, ed. John E. Smith, vol. 2 of <em>The Works of Jonathan Edwards</em> (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1959), 253-66. Cf. <em>Religious Affections</em> (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1986) 179-92.\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Spiritual Sight and Blindness (Part 1): Blind to What?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10611-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:47:53','2023-03-21 10:47:53','',10611,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14829',0,'revision','',0),(14830,1,'2023-03-21 10:48:04','2023-03-21 10:48:04','Apart from God we can know nothing. He created mankind in His image, in personal relationship with Him, with the ability to know and understand Him through His personal presence and spoken, intelligible words. Boundless in power, God can make Himself known to His people any way He sees fit, and He chose to use human language.\n\nBefore the Fall\nOur dependence on God and language preceded our fall into sin. Adam and Eve needed God’s revelation to relate to God and know His will. The direction to cultivate the garden was spoken, as was the all-important command to abstain from the forbidden fruit and its attendant curse. And though God is infinitely above and beyond all that He created, He can condescend to relate to His people in the most personal and intimate way through human language.\n\nThe seemingly pious belief that God is too high to use something as low as human language to reveal Himself and relate to us limits God’s power. It says, in effect, God can create us but cannot communicate with us any way He chooses. Rather than exalting God, it portrays Him as a feeble prisoner of His greatness. This idea cloaks a rejection of the divine authority of Scripture, denies our responsibility to submit to God’s revealed will, and repeats the sin of Adam and Eve by elevating human speculation over God’s revelation. The same can be said of the unbiblical notion that God can’t use fallible people to pen infallible truth. God can do anything. And to what higher authority than God’s Word can one appeal to make such claims? The opinions of limited and fallen people? (See my earlier article, <a title=\"\\&quot;Speculation\" href=\"//pilgrimsrock.com/2016/03/speculation-god-apart-revelation-worthless/\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">“Speculation About God Apart from His Revelation Is Worthless.”</a>). God’s special revelation (now given to us in Scripture) has always been necessary for us as created and dependent on God for all things.\n\nFallen Perspective\nMoreover, the effects of sin have made our interpretations untrustworthy. As Adam hid himself from God in the garden following his sin, so all fallen and unredeemed people continually avoid God and suppress the clear, comprehensive, and compelling knowledge of God (Romans 1:18-22). We lack the neutral objectivity to interpret God and the world without the bias of our sin-tainted will. <a href=\"\\&quot;#ftnt1\\&quot;\">[1]</a> Apart from God’s explanation of Himself and His world, we would interpret all things to suit our own desires, like someone on a diet who knows a thousand reasons why eating an ice cream cone constitutes a moral necessity. We can rationalize anything, including the worst sins condemned by God in Scripture. Apart from His special revelation, we would never view Him or His world rightly. Indeed, “He who trusts in his own mind is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26). “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit” (Prov. 16:2). “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).\n\nHappily, God knows our hearts (Jeremiah 17:10) and has given us His Word as a “lamp” to our feet and a “light” to our “path” (Psalm 119:105). “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).\n\nLimited Perspective\nAdditionally, we lack the vantage point to interpret the ultimate nature of God and His world sufficiently. We are constrained by time, space, and our limited abilities, as well as three or four dimensions, five senses, and plus or minus seventy years on earth. And while all people know enough about God by what He has created to make a lack of gratitude and honor to Him inexcusable (Romans 1:20), we need additional revelation from God. Since God is infinite spirit and transcends the universe He created, we could never describe or know Him accurately without His making Himself known. God’s admonition to Job is instructive:\n<blockquote>Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:2-7)</blockquote>\nPiercing, Living, and Life-Giving\n“Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Belief in God admits dependence on Him for knowledge of His excellence and His universe, while seeking God requires that we listen to Him. And “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Therefore, “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:2-3). And that knowledge comes through the Word and words of Scripture. As “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12), it convicts, saves, and transforms us. Indeed, “you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, <span id=\"\\&quot;ftnt1\\&quot;\"> </span> through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). “Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb,” it is “more to be desired” than “much fine gold” (Psalm 19:10).\n\n<sup>[1]</sup> I explain how the heart or will affects the understanding in the webinar, “The Myth of Neutral Science: Why Good Scientists Believe Impossible and Unscientific Things.”\n\nUnless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotation are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\n<div>\n\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\n\n</div>\n<!--end table-text cell-->\n\n</div>\n<!--end modal window-->','We Depend on God’s Word and Words','','inherit','closed','closed','','10570-autosave-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:48:04','2023-03-21 10:48:04','',10570,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14830',0,'revision','',0),(14831,1,'2023-03-21 10:48:06','2023-03-21 10:48:06','Apart from God we can know nothing. He created mankind in His image, in personal relationship with Him, with the ability to know and understand Him through His personal presence and spoken, intelligible words. Boundless in power, God can make Himself known to His people any way He sees fit, and He chose to use human language.\r\n\r\nBefore the Fall\r\nOur dependence on God and language preceded our fall into sin. Adam and Eve needed God’s revelation to relate to God and know His will. The direction to cultivate the garden was spoken, as was the all-important command to abstain from the forbidden fruit and its attendant curse. And though God is infinitely above and beyond all that He created, He can condescend to relate to His people in the most personal and intimate way through human language.\r\n\r\nThe seemingly pious belief that God is too high to use something as low as human language to reveal Himself and relate to us limits God’s power. It says, in effect, God can create us but cannot communicate with us any way He chooses. Rather than exalting God, it portrays Him as a feeble prisoner of His greatness. This idea cloaks a rejection of the divine authority of Scripture, denies our responsibility to submit to God’s revealed will, and repeats the sin of Adam and Eve by elevating human speculation over God’s revelation. The same can be said of the unbiblical notion that God can’t use fallible people to pen infallible truth. God can do anything. And to what higher authority than God’s Word can one appeal to make such claims? The opinions of limited and fallen people? (See my earlier article, <a title=\"\\&quot;Speculation\" href=\"//pilgrimsrock.com/2016/03/speculation-god-apart-revelation-worthless/\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">“Speculation About God Apart from His Revelation Is Worthless.”</a>). God’s special revelation (now given to us in Scripture) has always been necessary for us as created and dependent on God for all things.\r\n\r\nFallen Perspective\r\nMoreover, the effects of sin have made our interpretations untrustworthy. As Adam hid himself from God in the garden following his sin, so all fallen and unredeemed people continually avoid God and suppress the clear, comprehensive, and compelling knowledge of God (Romans 1:18-22). We lack the neutral objectivity to interpret God and the world without the bias of our sin-tainted will. <a href=\"\\&quot;#ftnt1\\&quot;\">[1]</a> Apart from God’s explanation of Himself and His world, we would interpret all things to suit our own desires, like someone on a diet who knows a thousand reasons why eating an ice cream cone constitutes a moral necessity. We can rationalize anything, including the worst sins condemned by God in Scripture. Apart from His special revelation, we would never view Him or His world rightly. Indeed, “He who trusts in his own mind is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26). “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit” (Prov. 16:2). “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).\r\n\r\nHappily, God knows our hearts (Jeremiah 17:10) and has given us His Word as a “lamp” to our feet and a “light” to our “path” (Psalm 119:105). “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).\r\n\r\nLimited Perspective\r\nAdditionally, we lack the vantage point to interpret the ultimate nature of God and His world sufficiently. We are constrained by time, space, and our limited abilities, as well as three or four dimensions, five senses, and plus or minus seventy years on earth. And while all people know enough about God by what He has created to make a lack of gratitude and honor to Him inexcusable (Romans 1:20), we need additional revelation from God. Since God is infinite spirit and transcends the universe He created, we could never describe or know Him accurately without His making Himself known. God’s admonition to Job is instructive:\r\n<blockquote>Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:2-7)</blockquote>\r\nPiercing, Living, and Life-Giving\r\n“Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Belief in God admits dependence on Him for knowledge of His excellence and His universe, while seeking God requires that we listen to Him. And “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Therefore, “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:2-3). And that knowledge comes through the Word and words of Scripture. As “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12), it convicts, saves, and transforms us. Indeed, “you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, <span id=\"\\&quot;ftnt1\\&quot;\"> </span> through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). “Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb,” it is “more to be desired” than “much fine gold” (Psalm 19:10).\r\n\r\n<sup>[1]</sup> I explain how the heart or will affects the understanding in the webinar, “The Myth of Neutral Science: Why Good Scientists Believe Impossible and Unscientific Things.”\r\n\r\nUnless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotation are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','We Depend on God’s Word and Words','','inherit','closed','closed','','10570-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:48:06','2023-03-21 10:48:06','',10570,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14831',0,'revision','',0),(14832,1,'2023-03-21 10:48:14','2023-03-21 10:48:14','The closer you get to anything or anyone, the more you see their defects. Everything looks better from a distance. The divine blindness given to women to take the hand of us men at the altar eventually wears off and they behold, in unadorned living color, an abundance of unflattering detail. And so it is with all believers, the more we see and know, the more we understand that every saint stands as a trophy of God’s grace, giving testimony to God’s infinite mercy to the underserving. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a <em>wretch</em> like me.”\r\n\r\nSet Apart\r\nYet, God calls us “saints” or “holy ones of the Highest One” (Daniel 7: 18, 22, 25). “Holy” speaks of being set apart <em>from</em> the profane to moral excellence and purity. God is perfectly holy, in Him dwells no moral imperfection. As applied to believers, we have been deemed morally perfect as clothed in the righteousness of Christ’s perfect obedience and payment for our sin on the cross, the righteousness imputed to us when we embraced Him by faith. We are no longer evil in God’s sight.\r\n\r\nOur efforts could never merit this infinite gift, yet we own His righteousness as united to Him by faith. In the overflow of God’s goodness, He chose us to be His and holy in eternity past (Eph. 1:4), and unites us to Christ in a bond of love the moment we embrace Him by faith. Christ met the requirements of God’s strict and unchanging justice on our behalf. We stand legally blameless and in possession of the righteousness, forgiveness, and infinite merit He earned for us, and will soon “stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy” (Jude 1:24) as we forever enjoy the rewards for His obedience. We are trophies of grace, though Christ belongs on the pedestal.\r\n\r\nPainfully Short Yet Exalted\r\nAt the same time, the mirror tells a different story. Our best efforts fall painfully short of the perfection of our legal standing in Christ. And the closer we grow to God and the more we know of His infinite excellence, the worse we appear. The brilliance of God’s holiness exposes in clear detail anything falling short of its excellence. Therefore, “everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:20), at least until <em>God</em> shines “in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6).\r\n\r\nPerhaps you have been disgusted and demoralized by an increased sight of the wickedness of your heart as you grow in your knowledge of God. Maybe you are frustrated at your slow progress in becoming more like Christ, or too often you resemble the “fool” more than the “wise man” of Proverbs. Yet, along with your fellow brothers and sisters,\r\n<blockquote>You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for <em>God\\\'s</em> own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (1 Pet. 2:9-10).</blockquote>\r\nLove and Gratitude\r\nSomeone once said that that Apostle Paul was never so close to God as when he called himself the greatest of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). In the same way, as we grow in our love and knowledge of God and the light of His holiness reveals greater and deeper sin within us, we revel in the love and mercy that washed it white as snow. As “holy ones of the Highest One,” we are precious in His sight and fit to enjoy Him forever in the blood-bought robe of Christ’s righteousness.\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Holy Ones of the Highest One','','inherit','closed','closed','','10515-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:48:14','2023-03-21 10:48:14','',10515,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14832',0,'revision','',0),(14833,1,'2023-03-21 10:48:58','2023-03-21 10:48:58','','Starting-Point-Foundation-Proper-Worldview-12_29_16-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','starting-point-foundation-proper-worldview-12_29_16-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:48:58','2023-03-21 10:48:58','',10499,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Starting-Point-Foundation-Proper-Worldview-12_29_16-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14834,1,'2023-03-21 10:49:01','2023-03-21 10:49:01','','Random-Chance-Behind-an-Ordered-Universe-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','random-chance-behind-an-ordered-universe-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:49:01','2023-03-21 10:49:01','',10440,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Random-Chance-Behind-an-Ordered-Universe-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14835,1,'2023-03-21 10:49:07','2023-03-21 10:49:07','','Trials-as-a-Price-and-Platform-to-Display-Christ-200Hb-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','trials-as-a-price-and-platform-to-display-christ-200hb-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:49:07','2023-03-21 10:49:07','',10394,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Trials-as-a-Price-and-Platform-to-Display-Christ-200Hb-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14836,1,'2023-03-21 10:49:11','2023-03-21 10:49:11','','Are-You-Willing-to-Be-Thought-a-Fool-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','are-you-willing-to-be-thought-a-fool-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:49:11','2023-03-21 10:49:11','',10363,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Are-You-Willing-to-Be-Thought-a-Fool-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14837,1,'2023-03-21 10:49:15','2023-03-21 10:49:15','','Barbarians-at-the-Gate-Where-do-We-Turn-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','barbarians-at-the-gate-where-do-we-turn-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:49:15','2023-03-21 10:49:15','',10289,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Barbarians-at-the-Gate-Where-do-We-Turn-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14838,1,'2023-03-21 10:49:19','2023-03-21 10:49:19','“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Short and simple, yet the first words of the Bible set the foundation for a proper view of <em>everything</em>, the basis of a comprehensive and God-honoring worldview. Indeed, we see nothing rightly without first believing this basic truth about God. The following are a few of the many and important implications Genesis 1:1.\r\n\r\nSpoken into Existence\r\nFirst, all time, matter, energy, and space began when God spoke them into existence: “‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” “Let us make man in our image,” and here we are. “The universe was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible” (Hebrews 11:3). “By him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17).\r\n\r\nThe Source of Knowledge and Truth\r\nSecond, only the Author of Life can answer the big questions of life, including how and why we exist and where we are going. God made us, He owns us, every good comes from Him, apart from Him we have nothing, and we owe Him everything. (If you are looking for a cure for the entitlement mentality, look no further.) Because God created everything, He forms the source and basis of all true knowledge of Himself, mankind, reality, knowledge, truth, authority, and how we should live. We depend on God for knowledge of all things.\r\n\r\nApart from His explanation of Himself and reality, we are reduced to guessing. Indeed, our knowledge and perspective are so limited we can’t even know the contents of a giftwrapped box in our hand unless we open it and look inside. Moreover, who among us has been beyond the three or four dimensions of earthly life or travelled beyond the edge of the universe? Thus, when unbelieving philosophers and scientists write thick books on the origin and meaning of life and ignore the God who created it, their theories reduce to opinions of blind faith. God’s questions to Job still apply: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding” (Job 38:4). Job replied, “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to Thee?” (Job 40:4). “I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know” (Job 42:3). Besides, atheists would need complete knowledge of everything in the universe <em>and beyond</em> to know that God does not exist. They would need to be God to deny God’s existence.\r\n\r\nDivine Order\r\nThird, “natural” laws are “divine” laws—how God orders and sustains the universe. No such laws exist without God’s power and control. Miracles, then, are not God intervening into reality, but His ordering something differently <em>for a particular time and purpose</em>. Thus, the wonder of God’s “supernatural” actions pale in comparison to His creating, continuously organizing, and upholding every quark, atom, and molecule in the universe. Why, then, would a professing believer try to make miracles compatible with unbelieving explanations of the world? Why betray a poor view of God and the revelation of His person and works in Scripture by explaining the plague of the Nile turning to blood by soil erosion, or the Red Sea as two inches deep where Israel crossed over? (Ask Pharaoh’s army how deep it was.) Do we grant that God can’t make the sun stand still (Joshua 10:13), because the continents would pile up when the earth stopped rotating, as argued in the movie, <em>Inherit the Wind</em>? God can create and sustain a universe and make the earth stand still but can’t keep the continents from piling up? And who knows how God did it? His ways are infinitely beyond ours (Isaiah 55:9). Moreover, we only know what God can and cannot do by what He has revealed to us, not to mention that one must first prove that God does not exist (an impossibility) to know that such miracles are impossible. Any and every biblical miracle appears reasonable in light of God’s infinite power.\r\n\r\nSpeculation Changes Nothing\r\nFourth, God and creation exist as God has revealed them in Scripture, regardless of what we believe. Imagine there’s no heaven or hell, and imagine that you can fly by jumping off a building and flapping your arms. You will soon discover that gravity remains unchanged, and depending on the height of the building, that heaven and hell did not go away, either. God and His reality will confront people regardless of what they imagine.\r\n\r\nA Comprehensive Display of God’s Excellence\r\nAnd lastly, while the implications of Genesis 1:1 are endless, we’ll conclude with everything God created displays His existence, goodness, power, and genius. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). “The whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3).\r\n\r\nThe wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened (Romans 1:18-21).\r\n\r\nAs classic artwork displays the brilliance of the artist and surpasses the scribbles of a child, so God’s works clearly display His power and genius such that unbelievers “know” God, even as they hold Him in contempt and reject His authority. Further, God “did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). Every raindrop and bite of food declares His goodness. All people also have an inescapable knowledge of God because God has written His law on every heart (Romans 2:15). We live, breathe, and swim in evidence for God’s existence, power, genius, and goodness—evidence that calls us to thank and worship Him.\r\n\r\nThe Anchor of Right Thinking and Purpose\r\n“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” anchors right thinking about God and His universe. Ignore Him and all things reduce to pointless absurdity. But, created in His image, in His world, and redeemed from our sin by the perfect work of Jesus Christ, we are part of something glorious. May God, then, be our focus and joy, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever” (Romans 11:36). Amen.\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Starting Point and Foundation of a Proper Worldview','','inherit','closed','closed','','10499-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:49:19','2023-03-21 10:49:19','',10499,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14838',0,'revision','',0),(14839,1,'2023-03-21 10:49:27','2023-03-21 10:49:27','Denying the existence of God as the creator behind the intricate design and beauty in the universe, atheists are left with time and chance as the ultimate explanation of reality as we know it. This poses a great many problems, such as rendering life and reasoning the product of meaningless random chance accidents, by which they claim to speak with authority about the origin and significance of other meaningless random chance accidents. But, leaving that and other issues aside, let’s ask the question: If reality derives from time and chance, might we not expect it to operate that way? But, does it? Can we find anything in existence that operates according to random chance?\r\n\r\nRolling the Dice\r\nFor example, consider the typical expression of chance, a roll of the dice. The outcome cannot be predicted and therefore appears to be random. But dice, like everything else in the universe, operate according to fixed and universal properties or “natural” laws (how God organizes and upholds the universe). If we could perfectly measure <em>every</em> variable involved in a roll, such as the arrangement of dice in the hand, the distance from which they are thrown, the angle at which they strike the surface, the velocity, etc., we could accurately predict the outcome every time. What we call random, then, consists of no more than our inability to know and measure the many variables involved in each throw—a display of human limitations, not randomness. Anything and everything involved in rolling dice operates according to fixed and predictable “laws.”\r\n\r\nAtomic Order\r\nPerhaps the location of an electron in an atom at a precise point in time could be described as random? Again, however, our inability to predict the exact location of an electron displays human limitations and the limits of our technology, not randomness. We conduct science with great success because reality, as we know it, has design and order. Gold is gold and iron is iron, while all the known elements react with each other in predictable ways, even if we cannot predict the exact location of an electron. The nature and decay rates of unstable elements are even known with precision (one reason why atomic bombs can quietly sit in silos).\r\n\r\nSpeculation, Not Science\r\nWe live, breathe, run, talk, eat, conduct science, make things, travel to the moon, love, reproduce, and anything else you can think of, precisely because the universe is not founded on and does not act according to random chance. Thus, claiming a principle behind the origin, existence, and nature of reality when it cannot be demonstrated by the scientific method, or even observed anywhere in the universe, reveals a view built on speculation, not science. Of course, atheists readily admit to ordered and fixed “natural” laws. But in refusing to acknowledge the Creator, Sustainer, and Designer as their explanation, they appeal to time and chance, an unreasonable alternative. Some attempt to explain the origin and basis of design and order by the existence of design and order, but this dodges the question entirely.\r\n\r\nWithout Excuse\r\nThe reasonable explanation says we know the existence and genius of the painter by the painting, whether or not we see the artist. We know the skill of the baker by the cakes and cookies. We know the brilliance of computer engineers and programmers by the excellence of a computer’s operation and programs. And, no one dines at a restaurant and denies the existence of the chef. Yet, even as people marvel at the amazing complexity and design of life and the universe, they deny the obvious and only sufficient cause of it all.\r\n\r\nThat which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened (Rom. 1:19-21).\r\n\r\nAtheism, Scripture tells us, stands contrary to better knowledge, a denial of the obvious. Therefore, when God says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds” (Psalm 14:1), He treats unbelief as a sinful and condemnable choice of the will. Created in God’s image, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), and we swim in a comprehensive and clear display of His genius, power and goodness. Where then is randomness? Only in the speculations of those who would refuse to bow the knee to the Designer, Creator, and Sustainer of all things, to whom we owe all love and obedience, forever.\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Random Chance Behind an Ordered Universe?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10440-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:49:27','2023-03-21 10:49:27','',10440,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14839',0,'revision','',0),(14840,1,'2023-03-21 10:49:38','2023-03-21 10:49:38','Imagine yourself in a hospital bed pining for home, family, and fellowship. Now imagine God offering you the choice between an immediate recovery and return to the routines and pleasures interrupted by your ailment, or an extension of your illness with the result that someone in the hospital will come to Christ through your example and testimony. Or, consider a choice between losing your job and a co-worker coming to Christ through your godly response and witness, or keeping your job and forfeiting the eternal benefit to your colleague. Imagine <em>any</em> hypothetical scenario requiring a costly and painful choice between personal blessings and eternal benefits to others. Which would you choose?\r\n\r\nA Few Caveats\r\nFortunately, our choices don’t always involve such obvious and costly tradeoffs—God is sovereign and can give us good health and success <em>and</em> bless others with the eternal benefits of salvation in Christ. He provides well-being and good things that we might minister to others. Many godly prayers in Scripture request health, favor, success, and a blessed life, both for others and the person making the request. Moreover, we lack God’s perfect knowledge of how our different trials will specifically affect those around us, nor do we have ultimate control over our circumstances.\r\n\r\nThe Principle\r\nNonetheless, the hypothetical choices above highlight a biblical principle that stands true in every situation, in every trial God brings our way; namely, will we accept that God brings trouble into our life for our good and for the eternal blessing of others, or will we view difficulties as unprofitable and unnecessary hindrances to our earthly desires? Will we complain in anger at God for our suffering, or trust His perfect wisdom that greater issues are at stake, that He will use our misery for greater things? Will we rest in God’s perfect character, knowing that we may not understand the fruit and wisdom of our struggles until we view them clearly in heaven?\r\n\r\nThe Example of God’s Work in Paul\r\nWe see this principle continually at work in God’s ordering the life of the Apostle Paul. For instance, in comparing the greater blessing of dying and going to heaven with staying on the sinful and painful earth, Paul concludes:\r\n<blockquote>If <em>I am</em> to live <em>on</em> in the flesh, this <em>will mean</em> fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both <em>directions</em>, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for <em>that</em> is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. And convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith” (Phil. 1:22-25).</blockquote>\r\nThe Holy Spirit moved Paul to write those words from prison, where a few verses earlier he spoke of the eternal benefits of his captivity:\r\n<blockquote>Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in <em>the cause of</em> Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear\\\" (Phil. 1:12-14).</blockquote>\r\nIn concluding the great epistle of joy, Paul offers greetings from “the saints” in “Caesar’s household,” recipients of eternal benefits shared by a captive audience of Praetorian guards chained to the preacher of the excellence of Christ. God gave Paul understanding of how He gives trials and suffering for the eternal benefit of others.\r\n<blockquote>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer\\\" (2 Cor. 1:3-6).</blockquote>\r\nBy God’s grace, Paul rightly saw his sufferings as the means to display the glory of God and the Gospel to others, a compliment to the testimony of God’s spoken and written word to the same glory.\r\n<blockquote>But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; <em>we are</em> afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus\\\' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh\\\" (2 Cor. 4:7-11).</blockquote>\r\nOur Choice\r\nThus, while God may not specifically and explicitly give us a choice between personal suffering and the eternal benefit of others in a given situation, the underlying principle applies to our every trial. Will we show a watching world the excellence of Christ and the Gospel, God’s perfect wisdom in our circumstances, and the surpassing value of knowing Christ as compared to the temporary blessings of our earthly life? Or, from self-centered disappointment at the loss of personal comfort, will we complain and impugn God in our words and attitude, squandering a divine appointment that could bring eternal blessings to observers? Will we disregard how all things not only work together for our good, but the good of others when we honor God in the midst of our troubles? No one should desire pointless and arbitrary suffering, but when God brings troubles our way for a greater purpose, may we choose His honor and the blessing of others over disappointment at our loss. May we consider others as we “consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18), and may we rest in the knowledge of God’s infinite love in Christ, to whom belongs the glory in every circumstance.\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Trials as a Price and Platform to Display Christ','','inherit','closed','closed','','10394-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:49:38','2023-03-21 10:49:38','',10394,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14840',0,'revision','',0),(14841,1,'2023-03-21 10:49:48','2023-03-21 10:49:48','“For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.’ Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not <em>come</em> to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:18-24).\r\n\r\nA Modern Context\r\nA mere fifty miles from Athens—the cradle of Western philosophy and home to such luminaries as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle—Corinth was a cosmopolitan, materialistic, and idolatrous trading center. Greeks, and the Corinthians in particular, exalted the best, brightest, strongest, and richest, while most of the Greek gods were exalted projections of their own debauched humanity. And like its neighbor, Corinth took pride in worldly wisdom (philosophy = lover of wisdom). But, in contrast to most earlier philosophers, eloquence and persuasiveness often took precedence over truth. Corinth was quite modern in many ways.\r\n\r\nBarren Versus Divine Wisdom\r\nTo the redeemed in Christ, the message of the cross conveys and displays the power of God to save fallen people from sin and eternal death. As Christ displays the infinite perfections of God—the source and standard of all good and excellence—nothing stains His person and work. At the same time, those enamored with darkness and blind to the beauty of God’s holiness cannot bear the light of God’s purity and justice in the ministry of Christ. That unbelievers see the excellence of God’s attributes displayed in the Gospel as foolish, including His goodness, love, justice, wisdom, power, et al, speaks of the evil of the fallen heart, not defects in God’s purpose and works. God, then, makes foolish the wisdom that cannot meet mankind’s needs of reconciliation to God and significance to an otherwise pointless existence.\r\n\r\nThe worldly wisdom of Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle saves no one, while contemporary atheistic philosophers continue the vain pursuit of explaining life apart from the God who made it and gives it purpose and meaning. When we ignore the only possible answer to ultimate questions, we reduce the particulars of life to irrelevance, including who we are, why we are here, and where we are going. Without God, no explanation or standard of truth exists, even as our darkened and limited perspective prevents us from answering transcendent questions apart from God’s revelation.\r\n\r\nMoreover, from a desire to justify rejection of God and His authority, unbelievers dismiss the message and messengers of Christ as foolish. Money, accolades, and awards rain upon agents of indiscretion and death, while the envoys of eternal life face obscurity and scorn. Our awards ceremony remains future and will not be at the hands of the perishing.\r\n\r\nFools for Truth and Life\r\nMinistry to a dying world requires a willingness to be thought a fool by those we seek to help, to be despised by those for whom we desire everlasting happiness. Are you equipped? Are you willing to be viewed as ignorant, even as you speak words of divine wisdom and truth? Can you stomach being called “unscientific” for rejecting the impossible idea that life somehow arranged itself, that the fearfully and wonderfully made are the products of impersonal time and chance, rendering life and reality pointless? Christ was called demon-possessed, can you endure the false label of “bigot” for affirming that He is “the way, truth, and the life,” that no one goes to heaven apart from Him? Unbelief bites the hand that seeks to pull it from the fire, but if you seek the acceptance and accolades of a spiritually blind academia or culture, you are not yet ready to offer God’s true wisdom and life to a dying world. Jesus said,\r\n<blockquote>\\\"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when <em>men</em> cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:10-12).</blockquote>\r\nOur message offends the ears of the perishing, for “a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Cor. 2:14). Yet, we present a Savior who, from the overflow of His infinite goodness and love for the unlovable, willingly suffered infinite wrath to purchase eternal significance and everlasting happiness for the undeserving. We bring wisdom that gives life to the dead, forgiveness to the condemned sinner, and purpose to everything under the sun. The patient may not like the medicine, but we dare not alter the only life-giving wisdom that satisfies the deepest needs of mankind.\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Are You Willing to Be Thought a Fool (For the Right Reasons)?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10363-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:49:48','2023-03-21 10:49:48','',10363,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14841',0,'revision','',0),(14842,1,'2023-03-21 10:49:58','2023-03-21 10:49:58','“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, <em>and</em> rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!” (Isaiah 31:1).\r\n\r\nCreated and redeemed by God, we owe Him all love and honor and depend on Him for all things, including deliverance from our enemies. Indeed, “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1).\r\n\r\nOutnumbered and Outgunned\r\nIsrael had a problem. Though chosen by God from among the nations, delivered from slavery in Egypt, and living in the Promised Land, the powerful and ruthless Assyrians gathered at the gate. It appeared that Israel was next on their list of nations doomed to destruction. Outnumbered, out-gunned, and terrified, Israel turned to Egypt for help, a formidable fighting machine with an impressive force of chariots, the lethal tanks of the day. From a military standpoint, it seemed a wise move, but was it?\r\n\r\nWarning, Judgment, and Destruction\r\n“Woe!” came the verdict in a dreadful warning of impending doom for ignoring God and turning to Egypt for deliverance. To understand Israel\\\'s folly, consider how God destroyed Egypt in an amazing display of strength and favor toward His chosen people, including the parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh\\\'s army. No kingdom could withstand the infinite power of God, including Assyria. But in a painful irony, Israel ignored their mighty Savior to seek deliverance by the nation God once destroyed on their behalf. In other words, they sought deliverance by those destroyed by their Deliverer in their previous deliverance. And if that sounds convoluted, it should.\r\n\r\nWhen Moses led Israel into the wilderness, God made a conditional covenant that promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Israel heartily agreed with their well-meaning and common refrain, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do!” (Exodus 19:8, et al). But once God gave them victory over their enemies and peace in a land flowing with milk and honey, they chased after other gods and invited punishment according to the terms of the covenant. When they cried to God in repentance, however, He restored and blessed them. This pendulum swing between blessing and judgment characterized the history of Israel’s relationship with God.\r\n\r\nStand or Fall with the Object of Our Trust\r\nIsrael saw God’s power, mercy, and grace in His abundant blessings and destruction of their enemies. Yet, when confronted with the Assyrian army, they trusted in chariots and ignored the Holy One of Israel—with terrible results.\r\n<blockquote>Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster, and does not retract His words, but will arise against the house of evildoers, and against the help of the workers of iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God, and their horses are flesh and not spirit; so the LORD will stretch out His hand, and he who helps will stumble and he who is helped will fall, and all of them will come to an end together (Isaiah 31:2-3).</blockquote>\r\nGod could have easily destroyed any army to protect His beloved people. But, instead of more blessings and displays of God’s power on their behalf, foolish, forgetful, and self-willed Israel, along with her would-be deliverer, suffered under the heavy hand of God’s judgment for their sin.\r\n\r\nLike Israel, we stand or fall with the ultimate object of our trust. We stand when we hold fast to the One who never fails or falters, regardless of the size of the army at the gates. We fall when we lean on a broken reed that cannot bear the weight we impose on it. And should the armies breach the wall and take our lives, they merely send us into the loving arms of the One who will have the last word. He took our punishment and made us His bride at infinite cost to himself—He can be trusted with everything, including our brief transition to glory at the hands of wicked men. “If God <em>be</em> for us, who <em>can be</em> against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:31-32 KJV).\r\n\r\nWe Stand in Christ\r\nIn Christ we live free from the harsh conditions of the Old Covenant God made with Israel, even as Christ has met every condition required for our eternal happiness. United to Christ by saving faith, the promises of the New Covenant belong to us forever. Yet, we have much to learn from God’s relationship with Israel, as the ultimate issue remains the same for all of us—In whom do we trust? And as we live secure in Christ, where do we turn in the face of temptation or when the barbarians gather at the gate? “Some <em>trust</em> in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7 KJV).\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Barbarians at the Gate: Where Do We Turn?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10289-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:49:58','2023-03-21 10:49:58','',10289,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14842',0,'revision','',0),(14843,1,'2023-03-21 10:50:37','2023-03-21 10:50:37','','To-Know-Him-Is-to-Love-Him-300w1-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','to-know-him-is-to-love-him-300w1-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:50:37','2023-03-21 10:50:37','',10263,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/To-Know-Him-Is-to-Love-Him-300w1-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14844,1,'2023-03-21 10:50:41','2023-03-21 10:50:41','','Essential-Lessons-from-Balaam’s-Demise-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','essential-lessons-from-balaams-demise-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:50:41','2023-03-21 10:50:41','',10251,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Essential-Lessons-from-Balaams-Demise-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14845,1,'2023-03-21 10:50:46','2023-03-21 10:50:46','','From-Weeping-to-Feasting-in-Babylon-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','from-weeping-to-feasting-in-babylon-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:50:46','2023-03-21 10:50:46','',10230,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/From-Weeping-to-Feasting-in-Babylon-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14846,1,'2023-03-21 10:50:47','2023-03-21 10:50:47','','whats-so-foolish-about-the-gospel-10_20_16-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','whats-so-foolish-about-the-gospel-10_20_16-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:50:47','2023-03-21 10:50:47','',10167,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/whats-so-foolish-about-the-gospel-10_20_16-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14847,1,'2023-03-21 10:50:50','2023-03-21 10:50:50','','Thorns-as-Windows-to-the-Soul-10_13_16_300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','thorns-as-windows-to-the-soul-10_13_16_300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:50:50','2023-03-21 10:50:50','',10138,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Thorns-as-Windows-to-the-Soul-10_13_16_300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14848,1,'2023-03-21 10:50:57','2023-03-21 10:50:57','Boundless in knowledge and power; perfect in goodness, love, wisdom, and justice, God does all things with holy excellence. Indeed, holiness constitutes the beauty of His every attribute and action. We see God’s excellence most clearly in the person and work of Christ in love to the unlovely, goodness to the corrupt, mercy to the guilty, and grace to the ungrateful. Freely suffering infinite wrath to uphold the requirements of divine justice, He purchased a people to cherish and bless forever.\r\n\r\nIn Search of Fire\r\nWe see God’s glory dimly, even as He reigns as the supreme love of our hearts. We struggle with leftover corruption in and around us. We run and stumble, we suffer bruises, fatigue, and discouragement. We play in the streets of Laodicea, even as the splendor of Zion glitters in the distance. Our zeal to serve Christ languishes when choked by worldly weeds.\r\n\r\nSo, where do we turn if we find ourselves and our fellowship in a funk of apathy? More worldly devices? Enthusiastic pep talks, clever speeches and personalities, programs devoid of truth about God, more volume and antics in the pulpit, things which any reprobate can do at will?\r\n\r\nEdwards on Love\r\nIn search of fire for listless souls, we’ve tried most everything, often looking for remedies in all the wrong places. In his exposition on 1 Corinthians 13, however, Jonathan Edwards gets to the heart of the matter.\r\n<blockquote>Love to God will dispose a man to give honor to God. Love will dispose to worship and adore him, heartily to acknowledge his greatness and glory and dominion. So love will dispose to all acts of obedience to God. The servant who loves his master, and the subject who loves his prince, will be disposed to proper subjection and obedience. Love will dispose a person to behave towards God as a child to a father. Under difficulties, to resort to God for help and to put their trust in him. It is natural for persons in cases of need or affliction to go to those whom they love for pity and help. They who love God will be disposed to give credit to his work and to put confidence in him. Men are not apt to suspect the veracity of those for whom they have entire friendship. So love will dispose men to praise God for the mercies they receive from him. Men are disposed to gratitude for any kindnesses they receive from those they love. Love will dispose the heart to submission to the will of God. Persons are more willing that the will of those whom they love should be done than that of others. They naturally desire that those whom they love should be pleased, and things should be agreeable to them. A true love and esteem of God will dispose the heart to acknowledge God\\\'s right to govern, and that he is worthy of it; and so will dispose it to submit. Love to God will dispose to walk humbly with God. For he that loves God will be disposed to acknowledge the distance there is between God and him. It will be agreeable to him who loves God to exalt him and set him on high above all, and to lie low before him. A true Christian delights to have God exalted in his abasement, because he loves God. He is willing to own that God is worthy of this; and it is with delight that he casts himself in the dust before God, because he loves God.[1]</blockquote>\r\nAs love perseveres, climbs any mountain, and fights to the death for the object of its affection, so love to God obeys, serves, submits, and worships. Its flame spurs service to Christ.\r\n\r\nFanning the Flames\r\nLove of God must be lit and fanned by the knowledge of God, for to know Him is to love Him. The greater our understanding of the beauty of God’s infinite excellence and love, the more we will adore Him for who He is and for the greatness of the gifts He has lavished on us. “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6), the glory of the beauty and magnificence of His attributes. When knowledge of God fuels love to God, we serve and honor Him.\r\n\r\nIn fact, the entire Christian life flows from the knowledge of God: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Pet. 1:2-3).\r\n\r\nFountain of Infinite Excellence\r\nIn our testimony as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for <em>God\\\'s</em> own possession,” we “proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). Nothing can so move the heart of God’s child to faithful and zealous service than sight of the beauty of His perfections revealed in the person and work of Jesus. And as our cup overflows from the spring of God’s endless love and goodness toward us in Christ, we will actively love God and our neighbor. Such is Christianity. When the temporary and trivial distractions of the world drain our time and vitality, we need not resort to ingenious devices. Rather, we need seek and more clearly display the One who dims the things of the world in the light of His infinite excellence.\r\n\r\n[1] <em>Charity and Its Fruits, in Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume 8, Freedom of the Will</em>, ed. Paul Ramsey (New Haven, Yale University Press, 1989), 134-135.\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','To Know Him Is to Love Him','','inherit','closed','closed','','10263-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:50:57','2023-03-21 10:50:57','',10263,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14848',0,'revision','',0),(14849,1,'2023-03-21 10:51:07','2023-03-21 10:51:07','“The sons of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the diviner, with the sword among <em>the rest of</em> their slain” (Joshua 13:22). The prophetic ministry of Balaam and God’s judgment of his sin provide several sobering lessons for all who would minister in Christ’s name, including grave warnings to those who serve in positions of great responsibility and prominence within the church.\r\n\r\nReputation\r\nFirst, a great reputation before people in service to God does not guarantee God’s favor. Balaam’s notoriety preceded him as the king of Moab sought him for his prophetic gift, saying:\r\n<blockquote>Please come, curse this people for me since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed (Numbers 22:6).</blockquote>\r\nGod, however, was not impressed. When Balaam adopted an ungodly motive for his prophetic ministry, God rebuked him sharply—through a talking donkey, no less. Most of us can recall when God used children or unbelievers to correct our course, sometimes in painful ways. But, to be reproved by a real, bona-fide jackass? That honor goes to Balaam. God also judged Balaam for “teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality” (Revelation 2:14). And while his reputation as a prophet may have garnered status and privileges before men, it could not appease God. Perhaps it even gave him a false sense of invincibility that contributed to his demise. Eventually, Balaam died by the sword when God judged the Midianites, the very nation that sinned against God according to Balaam’s counsel.\r\n\r\nBalaam’s fall especially warns those of high visibility in the church today. While we sometimes grant people of rank more license, God is no respecter of persons and will judge His people with equity, according to His holy standard. In fact, “Let not many of <em>you</em> become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). Just ask Moses. God denied him entry into the promised land for one act of disobedience, a man with whom God spoke face to face, who God called the humblest man “on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3).\r\n\r\nMinistry\r\nSecond, faithfulness in some areas of service to Christ does not excuse unfaithfulness in others. To his credit, Balaam dutifully and accurately delivered God’s message to a disappointed Balak, even at the risk of imprisonment or death at the hands of the angry king. In response to Balak’s plea to curse Israel, Balaam replied,\r\n<blockquote>Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying, \\\'though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the Lord, either good or bad, of my own accord. What the Lord speaks, that I will speak\\\'?</blockquote>\r\nYet, God still judged Balaam for His disobedience; God does not ignore sin in some areas of our life because we are obedient elsewhere. For instance, faithfulness in ministry or business does not justify the neglect of our responsibility to love our spouse and children. As an extreme illustration, imagine fathers and mothers travelling the country teaching others how to raise children while their own children languish at home. Perhaps we should all spend less time on the internet and social media and spend more quality <em>and quantity</em> face time with our family, doing the many things that make a house a home. Kids suffer when they see themselves as an adjunct to other priorities.\r\n\r\nPrivilege\r\nThird, Balaam\\\'s office or role as a prophet of God did not excuse his sin or ease God’s standards. God elevated Balaam to his privileged position as prophet and just as easily demoted him. No one serves by divine right. God allows us to participate in His purposes by grace alone, while the people He chooses for service remain as accountable to Him as anyone else, if not more so.\r\n\r\nMoney\r\nLastly, God will severely judge false prophets that use His name for mere profit. Yes, “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim. 5:18), and the short changing of ministers is shameful, but neither should we serve to amass riches at the expense of the sheep. God’s opinion of those who use Him for greedy gain is frightening:\r\n<blockquote>Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam…. These men are those who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves…. These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage (Jude 11, 12, 16).</blockquote>\r\nAgain,\r\n<blockquote>Having eyes full of adultery and that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:14-15).</blockquote>\r\nGod’s condemnation of Balaam stands as a fearful warning to all who profess to minister in the name of Christ. From Balaam’s demise, we learn that a great reputation in service to God does not guarantee His favor; faithfulness in some areas does not excuse unfaithfulness in others; ministry does not excuse disobedience; and, God will judge the greedy that use His name to amass riches. May we take stock and take heed that we might avoid the terrible errors of Balaam, to the honor of God’s name and the blessing of His ministry in and through us.\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Essential Lessons from Balaam’s Demise','','inherit','closed','closed','','10251-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:51:07','2023-03-21 10:51:07','',10251,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14849',0,'revision','',0),(14850,1,'2023-03-21 10:51:18','2023-03-21 10:51:18','“Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, <em>according to</em> the faithful mercies shown to David” (Isaiah 55:1-3).\r\n\r\nBad Taste\r\nImagine attending a beautiful banquet to freely feast on a huge array of delicacies, including steak, lobster, cakes, and a large selection of drinks. Thirsty and famished, you proceed to devour the table decorations of wax fruit and wash it down with sand from the jars holding the fake flowers. Ridiculous, you say? Yes, but is it unusual?\r\n\r\nJudgment and Compassion in Babylon\r\nGod’s gracious invitation to the thirsty and distressed exiles of Israel followed His many warnings through Isaiah and other prophets that they would be judged if they continued their idolatry and disobedience. “I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk <em>in</em> the way which is not good, following their own thoughts, a people who continually provoke Me to My face” (Isaiah 65:2-3). But, they covered their ears and suffered the inevitable result—Babylon sacked Jerusalem and took them into exile.\r\n\r\nNonetheless, God never abandoned His disobedient people and graciously called them back to Himself—such is God’s way with the objects of His love. As for Israel, they had become predictable. When God blessed them with prosperity, they grew proud and self-confident and attacked God’s messengers. “Jeshurun grew fat and kicked” (Deut. 32:15). But when He judged their sin and removed His blessings they cried for mercy. And despite their chronic infidelity, God would hear, take pity, and restore His people. Time and again they suffered judgement for disobedience, and time and again God looked with compassion and called them back to Himself.\r\n\r\nFree and Abundant\r\nHaving banished His people to Babylon, God appealed to thirsty people for the satisfaction of their souls. Jesus used similar language with the Samaritan woman at the well: \\\"Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give to him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14). Like the life-giving water, the wine and milk speak of the divine, abundant, and free blessings of God toward His people. They need only \\\"come\\\" with empty hands to receive God’s mercy.\r\n\r\nCostly and Worthless\r\nThe feast was ready, rich, and free. Yet, not only did Israel prefer that which is “not bread” and worthless, <em>they paid for the privilege and exhausted themselves in the process.</em>\r\n<blockquote>Those who fashion a graven image are all of them futile, and their precious things are of no profit; even their own witnesses fail to see or know, so that they will be put to shame. Who has fashioned a god or cast an idol to no profit? Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are mere men. Let them all assemble themselves, let them stand up, let them tremble, let them together be put to shame. The man shapes iron into a cutting tool, and does his work over the coals, fashioning it with hammers, and working it with his strong arm. He also gets hungry and his strength fails; he drinks no water and becomes weary (Isaiah 44:9-12).</blockquote>\r\nThey wearied themselves even as they invited judgment and calamity. How could they be so foolish? How can we? Christ tells us, \\\"For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26). Does the world rush to bow the knee to Jesus, to partake of the eternally satisfying living water? And while we may not worship statues, our modern substitutes for God are just as common and foolish. We can make an idol out of anything, including religion, money, sex, power, sports, music, achievement, the accolades of others, comfort, pleasure, convenience, an activity, a school or institution, a role, a hope, an image, an idea, a pleasure, a hero, you name it—anything we choose to exalt over humble love to God, even if done in His name.\r\n\r\nBut, even good and necessary things will never satisfy our souls. When we give them more importance than they deserve and expect more than they can deliver, they leave us low and dry. And worse, “There is a way <em>which seems</em> right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12). Alluring and promising, we not only bite and wind up with a mouth of wax and sand, we double down and stuff ourselves as if volume will compensate for the emptiness of it all.\r\n\r\nListen and Enjoy the Feast\r\nSin brought disaster to Israel. Yet, when God regained their attention, the exiles needed only to “come” and “listen” that they might “live” and delight themselves “in abundance.” And so also with us when we humbly and prayerfully listen to God speak to us in Scripture, lest He get our attention some other way. And listening we need to obey, forsaking hindrances to our relationship with our Creator and Redeemer.\r\n\r\nDespite their rebellion and idolatry, God had mercy on His chastened exiles and invited them to feast on the abundance of His grace and be blessed according to His “faithful mercies shown to David.” Thus, He offers us rich blessings as part of His family through faith in Christ alone, calling us to abandon whatever obscures God’s excellence and dulls the satisfaction of our souls. And though we sometimes grab for the table settings, God calls us to a true feast, to forsake evil and put the good things of the world to proper use in service to Him, to be blessed by His infinite glory, forever.\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','From Weeping to Feasting in Babylon','','inherit','closed','closed','','10230-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:51:18','2023-03-21 10:51:18','',10230,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14850',0,'revision','',0),(14851,1,'2023-03-21 10:51:26','2023-03-21 10:51:26','“For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18).\r\n\r\nIs the Gospel foolish? Do the ideas of a crucified Savior, exaltation by humiliation, the conquering of death <em>by death</em>, the overcoming of the powers of evil by weakness, etc., convey foolish elements that faith must overcome in order to believe in Christ? Or, put another way, does faith involve, to some extent, a belief in the absurd or unreasonable, a disregard or denial of aspects of reality? Does true faith include elements of blind faith, the belief in something without or contrary to evidence?\r\n\r\n“Irrational Faith”\r\nFor some, faith is indeed irrational and blind, the embrace of an ideal despite history, reason, reality, and science. In fact, they view the courage to believe against all odds and opposition as a virtue. Moreover, a faith based solely on personal experience without an objective basis in history, reason, reality, and science, cannot be refuted by arguments of the same—nothing can deny or disprove another’s experience, goes the thinking. Perhaps you have heard people teach such a faith, or maybe you recognize elements of this blind faith as your own? What, then, are we to make of this?\r\n\r\nA Fallen Perspective and Defective Standard\r\nThe Gospel does appear foolish and undesirable to most of the world, but, does that indicate a problem with the Gospel or the world? For instance, does the world exalt holiness? Scripture tells us people who love darkness and reject the light (John 3:19), including the light of the Gospel. Indeed, “the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Matt. 7:14).\r\n\r\nAt the same time, could unbelief be justified <em>in part</em> by some of the “foolish” elements of the Gospel mentioned above? Perhaps, if according to a right standard, the foolish or absurd could be found in the Gospel. But, it contains no such elements. But what about a crucified Savior, weakness overcoming power and evil, etc., are not these ideas absurd or unreasonable? Yes, but only according to the assumptions of the fallen, unbelieving worldview. In God’s economy, justice demands a payment and sin demands death, while voluntary and infinite humiliation and suffering for the underserving displays the highest and most beautiful love. Moreover, the entire sacrificial system of Israel points to the need of a sacrifice, substitute, and mediator. Such ideas are noble to unbelievers in many contexts, such as jumping in front of a car to save a life, paying another’s debt, or martyrdom for a great cause (though Christ’s sacrifice was far more than mere martyrdom). Regardless, God determines what is right and foolish in the world. Apart from God, no standards of good, bad, wise, or foolish are possible.\r\n\r\nNothing of the Gospel history or message justifies unbelief. Rather, the heart hostile to God cannot see the beauty of God’s holiness and perfect character it displays. In fact, the world’s foolishness involves viewing the infinitely excellent as unworthy of notice or respect, including the revelation of God’s holiness, justice, love, grace, mercy, and wisdom in Christ.\r\n\r\nPreconceived Notions\r\nPeople view Christ and Scripture according to preconceived beliefs about God and the world flow from love or hatred toward the God of the Bible. Those unwilling to acknowledge God’s authority and submit to Him will interpret reality to support their desire to be independent of God. Nothing that points to the God of Scripture and our debt to love and honor Him will be viewed with an objective “neutrality.” Those set on living however they please will reject the Gospel as foolish and explain the world as giving no evidence of its Designer and Creator.\r\n\r\nReasonable Faith\r\nAlso, a blind faith contrary to history, reason, reality, and science is not Christian faith. We swim in a sea of evidence for God’s power, genius, and goodness. The heavens declare His glory (Psalm 19:1), the “rains from heaven and fruitful seasons” that satisfy our “hearts with food and gladness” declare His goodness (Acts 14:17). Moreover, all people have an inescapable sense of God’s existence and holiness because God has written His law on every heart (Rom. 2:14-15). The evidence appears so obvious in what God has created that all people “know God” and are “without excuse” for not worshipping and giving God thanks (Rom. 1:18-22). Even as the order, intricacy, and beauty of the universe proclaim its designer in the same way a beautiful painting proclaims the existence and genius of the artist, unbelief suppresses and denies the knowledge of God from hostility towards Him.\r\n\r\nUnwanted Implications\r\nMoreover, the mere fact that we can reason and conduct science clearly affirms God’s design and power over the universe—random chance produces no “natural” laws by which we think and do science. Reality, as well as science to describe it, cannot exist without God. Indeed, that some scientists observe the amazing order and design of creation and still claim it evolved by time and chance indicates that something other than the scientific method drives their conclusions. The theory of evolution, as impossible and unscientific as it is, serves to explain life without a debt to love and obey the One to whom we owe all things. The same applies to denials of the authority of Scripture. Christ put it this way, “If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or <em>whether</em> I speak from Myself” (John 7:17). In other words, if you have a heart to do God’s will, you will know that Christ’s words are God’s words and the expression of God’s will.\r\n\r\nOpen Eyes\r\nTherefore, while true faith involves experience—the heart embracing Christ as God and Savior in love and trust—it also accepts objective reality as created and ordered by God, and the true nature of Scripture. So, what’s so foolish about the Gospel? Nothing. As believers, our eyes have been opened to see and love its excellence, “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). Thus, with the saints we sing, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, <em>was blind, but now I see</em>.”\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','What’s So Foolish About the Gospel?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10167-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:51:26','2023-03-21 10:51:26','',10167,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14851',0,'revision','',0),(14852,1,'2023-03-21 10:51:32','2023-03-21 10:51:32','Perhaps you have known some folks with an uncanny knack of rubbing you the wrong way. Of course, we have all been that person at one time or another and we can easily find more faults in others than in ourselves. At the same time, annoying people often bring an unexpected gift—a divinely ordered glimpse of our own sin. In His perfect wisdom, God often addresses our blind spots by an encounter with our sinful manners in someone else.\r\n\r\nDivine Sand\r\nAs sinners saved by grace, perfect godliness awaits us in glory. Until then, we learn and grow. And as we serve Christ alongside other believers, we will eventually experience some of the best examples of how to act as a believer—and some of the worst. As we serve with people in positions of responsibility we will see God working in humble hearts helping others for His glory, but with others we may meet an unsanctified arrogance that can be tough to bear: “A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, but the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them” (Prov. 27:3). When a little power and authority goes to our head we can forget that our ministry came as a gift from God, and that Christ, the God of the universe became flesh, had nowhere to lay His head and willingly suffered the worst kind of humiliation and suffering imaginable for unworthy enemies, or that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Pet. 5:5).\r\n\r\nReflections\r\nWhen we are treated poorly by the immaturity and sin of others, a cool head with a little reflection might reveal that the way others treat us sometimes mirrors how we treat them, a picture of the sin we ignore in our own life. And while we should think twice about a ministry of personally giving others a real-time example of depravity for their benefit, the display of spiritual immaturity in others can encourage our own repentance and growth in Christian maturity. We have all encountered more than a few examples of how we should never behave toward others, but our lesson should be that we have often treated people the same way.\r\n\r\nAmazing Grace\r\nNo one escapes pride this side of glory. It ruled the roost before we came to Christ and rears its foul head at the slightest success or indignity. Indeed, the minute we fancy ourselves delivered from its grip we find ourselves puffed up to heaven with our humility![1] Its cure comes in a deepening relationship with Christ and appreciation of His infinite and amazing grace toward one so underserving. We grow in humility as we grow in understanding the nature of the wretch He saved by infinite love and suffering, and by knowing and loving the excellence of the One who purchased our eternal happiness.\r\n\r\nSanctification can be difficult, especially when helped by walking and talking irritants we meet or hold sway over some aspect of our lives. But God brings them for our good, as windows to the soul. Once we get over our pride in being disrespected by someone else’s lack of sanctification, we can confess and repent of the same in ourselves and grow in our love and knowledge of the One who has paid the penalty for it all. To Christ be all the glory. Amen.\r\n\r\n[1] Edwards put it this way: “Some who think themselves quite emptied of themselves, and are confident that they are abased in the dust, are full as they can hold with the glory of their own humility, and lifted up to heave with a high opinion of their own abasement.” Jonathan Edwards, <em>Religious Affections</em> (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1986 reprint edition), 245\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Thorns as Windows to the Soul','','inherit','closed','closed','','10138-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:51:32','2023-03-21 10:51:32','',10138,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14852',0,'revision','',0),(14853,1,'2023-03-21 10:52:29','2023-03-21 10:52:29','','Missing_the_mark-10_6_16-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','missing_the_mark-10_6_16-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:52:29','2023-03-21 10:52:29','',10081,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Missing_the_mark-10_6_16-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14854,1,'2023-03-21 10:52:31','2023-03-21 10:52:31','','Every-Good-Is-Grace-Every-Breath-Mercy-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','every-good-is-grace-every-breath-mercy-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:52:31','2023-03-21 10:52:31','',10056,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Every-Good-Is-Grace-Every-Breath-Mercy-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14855,1,'2023-03-21 10:52:31','2023-03-21 10:52:31','','Empty_pursuits_made_eternally_meaningful-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','empty_pursuits_made_eternally_meaningful-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:52:31','2023-03-21 10:52:31','',10000,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Empty_pursuits_made_eternally_meaningful-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14856,1,'2023-03-21 10:52:35','2023-03-21 10:52:35','','Is-Love-to-God-No-More-Than-Self-Love-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','is-love-to-god-no-more-than-self-love-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:52:35','2023-03-21 10:52:35','',9958,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Is-Love-to-God-No-More-Than-Self-Love-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14857,1,'2023-03-21 10:52:36','2023-03-21 10:52:36','','Know_Your_Enemy-9_8_16-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','know_your_enemy-9_8_16-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:52:36','2023-03-21 10:52:36','',9939,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Know_Your_Enemy-9_8_16-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14858,1,'2023-03-21 10:52:50','2023-03-21 10:52:50','“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). Why? Because God is infinitely holy and excellent, perfect in every way, the source and sustainer of all things, apart from whom we have nothing, and to whom we owe perfect love and honor, always. God’s “foremost commandment” requires an internal and external response consistent with God’s glory. Sin includes anything less than what He deserves and properly requires of us. Thus, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).\r\n\r\nTrue Virtue\r\nWhich of the following appears to you as virtuous: a selfish bribe given without concern for the recipient, or a gift motivated by selfless love? Or, which of these honors God: service that seeks to earn salvation from a disregard of the perfect saving work of Christ, or service from a heart of love and thanksgiving for the free gift of salvation? The obvious answers illustrate for us that identical outward actions can be good or evil, or pleasing or contemptible before God according to the motive or inclination behind them. At the same time, Scripture contains many warnings that God will judge our every action. Indeed, “every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment” (Matt. 12:36). Yet, God never judges actions apart from the heart that motivates them. “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds” (Jer. 17:10). We may distinguish internal motives or inclinations of the heart from the actions they produce, but we can never separate them.\r\n\r\nA Guilty Heart\r\nMoreover, God judges the nature of our thoughts and desires even if we don’t act on them: “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). As unbelievers we “lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind,” and we were “<em>by nature</em> children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3, <em>emphasis mine</em>). And while we are cautioned against judging what we cannot see in the hearts of others, God does exactly that, “Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, <em>but wait</em> until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of <em>men\\\'s</em> hearts; and then each man\\\'s praise will come to him from God” (1 Cor. 4:5).\r\n\r\nAs God requires a pure heart <em>and</em> pure actions, our wicked desires merit condemnation before a holy God. As Christ said, “everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). “For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man out of <em>his</em> good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of <em>his</em> evil treasure brings forth what is evil” (Matt. 12:34-35). Notice that the evil “treasure” produces the evil action. In His condemnation of religious hypocrisy, He points to the heart: “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me” (Matt. 15:8).\r\n\r\nHoly and Unholy Attractions\r\nThe heart transformed to love God loves holiness, the perfection that defines God’s perfect character and renders all His perfections lovely. The indwelling Holy Spirit loves holiness and grieves over unholy thoughts and desires, even as He works to cleanse and produce in us holy appetites and actions. Therefore, a holy and redeemed heart recoils at desires contrary to the holiness of its first love. We run to Christ in love and gratitude for His righteousness and plead for deliverance from impurity. We pursue the renewal of our mind by His powerful Word (Scripture) and the other means of grace He has provided for our growth in holiness (prayer, worship, fellowship, etc.). But, we don’t define holiness down or compromise God’s standard of righteousness by proposing that impure thoughts and desires are not sin until we act on them. A healthy cure begins with a proper diagnosis and understanding of the disease, not a redefinition of it.\r\n\r\nA Perfect Heart\r\nChrist’s earthly ministry was sinless and free of unholy thoughts and desires. He clearly saw and understood the wickedness of the world, but rightly viewed it as a disgusting affront to divine holiness, a horrible perversion of God’s original and righteous design and creation. And while He was tempted in all things, even as we are, He was never tempted by the force of a sinful inclination or desire for unholy things. Perfect holiness cannot be incited by unholy thoughts where no unholy thoughts are possible. The essence and weight of His temptations lie elsewhere (to be discussed in an upcoming post). And once we pass from this life to the next, we will never again have an unholy thought or desire. But until then, our most perfect works and motives are as filthy rags in light of what God deserves and when considered apart from the righteousness of Christ by which we stand.\r\n\r\nThe Goal\r\n“The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5). As we better understand the depth and breadth of our depravity, we grow in purity, faith, and a greater appreciation of the forgiveness and righteousness we have in Christ. The greater our understanding and appreciation for God’s infinite love of the sinful and unlovable, the greater will be our love, holiness, and service to Him and our neighbor. May we not compromise God’s revelation of our total need of Christ—the greatest need of the church and the unredeemed world—by redefining sin, our greatest enemy. Rather, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Rom. 5:20). In Christ we have new life, a new love, forgiveness for the worst of our sinful acts and desires, and help for growth in a holy love and knowledge of God. May we seek Him all the more diligently when we struggle with the sin that would dishonor His name and destroy our testimony to His grace and power to change lives. To Him be all the glory in our thoughts and deeds. Amen.\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Missing the Mark','','inherit','closed','closed','','10081-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:52:50','2023-03-21 10:52:50','',10081,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14858',0,'revision','',0),(14859,1,'2023-03-21 10:52:54','2023-03-21 10:52:54','“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Never have so few words carried more far-reaching implications than the first verse of the Bible. For instance, in a single sentence God reveals Himself as the origin of everything, apart from whom nothing would or could exist, without whom we have nothing, and to whom we owe everything. Indeed, “every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17).\r\n\r\nAdam and Eve\r\nGod also created our first parents. But while Adam and Eve entered the world with no trace of evil and in a personal and loving relationship with God, they did not possess eternal life, as indicated by their fall and subsequent ban from the Tree of Life. Eternal life required a simple act of fidelity and obedience to God. Created holy, they were able to forfeit their righteous status and relationship to God by a choice of the will. Yet, in freely choosing to disobey God and eat from the forbidden tree, they exalted themselves over the will, knowledge, and authority of God and spiritually died. And while their sin deserved immediate physical and spiritual death, without remedy, God cast them from the garden and kept them from partaking of the Tree of Life by which they would have lived as condemned and cursed, forever. Moreover, God sacrificed animals to cover their nakedness, granted them long lives, and gave them a quiver full of children. And so for Adam and Eve, every good was grace--every breath, mercy.\r\n\r\nCain and Abel\r\nAdam stood for the entire human race in his trial of obedience in the garden, so when he fell his posterity fell with him. “All sinned” in Adam and “through the one man\\\'s disobedience the many were made sinners” (Rom. 5:12, 19). The results are promptly seen in Cain’s murder of his brother Abel from bitterness over God’s preference of Abel’s animal sacrifice to Cain’s offering of the fruit of the ground. God judged and cursed Cain for his sin, but graciously allowed him to live and gave him a sign to prevent others from killing him. But what did Cain deserve? Like Adam and Eve, he deserved immediate physical and spiritual death, without remedy. So, for Cain, every good was grace--every breath, mercy.\r\n\r\nNoah and His Family\r\nWhen the horrible fruit of Adam’s sin filled the world, God filled the world with water and destroyed humanity with a worldwide flood, sparing only Noah and his family. After the Ark and its passengers disembarked upon dry land, God promised to never again destroy the world by water. Noah and his family were spared the judgment of the flood, but were they without sin? Since God judged Adam for a single sin, could Noah claim to have deserved less? Of course not, for “who can say, ‘I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?’\\\" (Prov. 20:9). The question demands humble silence. For, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). So, in light of the same strict and unchanging standard of justice that condemned Adam, Eve, and the entirety of Adam’s posterity for a single sin, for Noah and his family, every good was grace--every breath, mercy.\r\n\r\nEverybody\r\nWe could multiply examples, but suffice it to say that all of Adam’s physical posterity have born the curse and judgment for their own sin and the sin of Adam, for “through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men” and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 5: 18, 3:23). Apart from the righteousness of Christ imputed (credited) to us, “There is none righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:10). Thus, in light of God’s strict and unchanging justice, how should we view life? Should we ask why bad things happen to good people? Should we demand better treatment from God? No, for every child of Adam, every good is grace--every breath, mercy.\r\n\r\nInfinite Merit and Blessings in Christ\r\nAnd so we have every reason to rejoice in the saving work of Jesus Christ, whose life satisfied the requirement of sinless obedience for eternal life (the same requirement that Adam failed to meet as our representative), and whose death paid the penalty required by God’s justice for our sin. God’s infinite grace and mercy in Christ earned for us infinite merit, a merit that God’s justice will compensate with an infinite reward. Thus, while our every good is grace and every breath, mercy, we have been given infinite blessings in Christ.\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Every Good Is Grace—Every Breath, Mercy','','inherit','closed','closed','','10056-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:52:54','2023-03-21 10:52:54','',10056,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14859',0,'revision','',0),(14860,1,'2023-03-21 10:53:01','2023-03-21 10:53:01','“‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the preacher, ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity’” (Eccl. 1:1-2). Or, to paraphrase, “all is pointless, all is empty.” Ecclesiastes so reduces our many earthly activities to “chasing after wind” that it begs for an answer to the important question: What, then, gives life and living meaning and purpose?\r\n\r\nMore to Life\r\nEnjoy God’s earthly blessings—enjoy your job, enjoy your roast beef, enjoy your spouse, <em>et al</em> (and not necessarily in that order). Great advice, but Ecclesiastes lacks a comprehensive explanation of the reason for our existence and various activities. As one of 66 books of the Bible, it can only be understood properly in light of the entire message of Scripture. Yet, when viewed in this greater biblical context, the goals of life become meaningful as part of the greater purpose of God.\r\n\r\nWe often fail to appreciate this important truth in our youth when so many things lie before us, like learning to walk or ride a bike; graduating from kindergarten, high school, and college; getting a job, career, spouse, kids, and a good retirement. We are easily occupied by a successive series of objectives. But when we are older, when we’ve been there, done that, and get a gold watch for 40 years of hard work, we can better appreciate Solomon’s point. It’s why he can say “it is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart” (Eccl. 7:2). Death and eternity put our temporal pursuits into proper perspective.\r\n\r\nThe Big Picture\r\nAs Christians, our activities need not be pointless, but part of a life of meaning, contentment, and joy. We need not wait until we have <em>been there</em> and <em>done that</em> to know why we <em>go there</em> and <em>do that</em>. Yet, we sometimes forget how our many goals fit into a comprehensive and greater <em>purpose</em>. Our pursuits can lie scattered like pieces of an unfinished jigsaw puzzle on a table top, with little understanding of how they fit together to form a beautiful and meaningful picture.\r\n\r\nWhat, then, constitutes the ultimate purpose that gives our pursuits eternal significance and value? The answer lies with God’s ultimate purpose to display His glory, to shine forth the majestic beauty of His attributes.\r\n\r\nGlory in Creation\r\nGod displays His glory in creation and providence—His fingerprints appear on everything. “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens” (Ps. 8:1). “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” (Ps. 108:5). In other words, let the beauty of your holiness, love, goodness, wisdom, power, etc., radiate throughout your universe for all to see. “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1a). The testimony shines so clearly that all people “are without excuse” for not worshipping God and giving Him thanks (Rom. 1:18-20). Every raindrop and bite of food displays His goodness (Acts 14:17).\r\n\r\nGlory in Christ and Redemption\r\nThe ultimate display of God’s glory resides in the person and saving work of Jesus Christ. God’s excellent character shines forth in the plan and accomplishment of the salvation of unworthy sinners. Indeed, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” and “predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself” for “the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph. 1:4,5,6). We have been “sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance…to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:13-14). In the saving work of Christ, most particularly in His giving Himself to suffer infinite wrath to save His enemies, the beauty of God’s attributes shines brightly, including His righteousness, holiness, love, goodness, wisdom, and power.\r\n\r\nIn fact, to see the excellence of Christ is to see the excellence of the Father: “He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3). Or, as Jesus responded to Philip, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).\r\n\r\nGod’s Purpose—Our Purpose\r\nWhat, then, comprises the one purpose that unites and gives meaning to every aspect of life? As created and redeemed by God, our purpose comes from the purpose of the One who created and redeemed us—to display and communicate His infinite excellence. “Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you….every one who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory” (Isa. 43:5, 7). For “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for <em>God\\\'s</em> own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). The testimony of our life and words should proclaim and emulate the character of Christ: “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20). “Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name” (Ps. 96:7b-8a). “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples” (Ps. 96:3). The Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it this way: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”\r\n\r\nGiven that our ultimate purpose consists of God’s ultimate purpose to display His glory, and that His glory radiates most clearly in the person and redeeming work of Christ on the cross, may the beauty of Christ’s character shine in all we say and do. By this the vain and mundane activities of life become part of God’s marvelous purpose in all things. We have been redeemed from meaningless activity to a purpose infinitely greater than ourselves, with eternal consequences. Therefore, “whether… you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Empty Pursuits Made Eternally Meaningful','','inherit','closed','closed','','10000-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:53:01','2023-03-21 10:53:01','',10000,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14860',0,'revision','',0),(14861,1,'2023-03-21 10:53:10','2023-03-21 10:53:10','Mr. Christian’s neighbor had a new bumper sticker: <em>Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty</em>. To Mr. Christian, random and senseless acts seemed, well, random and senseless, so he asked his neighbor what it meant. His answer was startling and disturbing. “Selfish acts of doing something to get something are not virtuous; therefore, random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty are truly virtuous acts.” Moreover, “Christianity cannot be virtuous because Christians love God to get rewards and avoid pain.” Mr. Christian replied that believers love God because He first loved us by saving us by the work of Christ on the cross,” to which his neighbor quickly countered, “That’s my point, just as my dog loves me because I feed him, so Christians love God because He gives them good things.” At a loss for words, Mr. Christian smiled, bid his neighbor adieu, and made a quick exit, stage left.\r\n\r\nSetting aside the insult to man’s best friend, how do we respond to the shrewd critique of Christian love to God? Of course, it’s not a new or even uncommon view; Satan accused Job of the same thing, telling God that Job would curse Him to His face if He withdrew Job’s earthly blessings. But, is love to God really no more than love of self, or a mere love of the gifts of God? And if not, what, then, comprises a true love to God?\r\n\r\nProper Gratitude for Abundant Gifts\r\nChristians have received marvelous gifts. United to Christ by faith, we have justification by the voluntary and perfect righteousness of Christ satisfying the requirements of God’s justice on our behalf, including sinless obedience and the penalty of death for sin, earning the infinite merit imputed to us. In Christ we are covered in His righteousness. His resurrection life is our life. His victory over sin, death, and Satan is our victory. Adopted into God’s family, we cry, “Abba, Father!” by the Holy Spirit of adoption within us. In Christ we have security, assurance, love, joy, peace, hope, comfort, purpose and meaning in life, etc. And “when He appears, we shall be like him” (1 John 3:2).\r\n\r\nWe have immeasurable blessings for which we should be thankful. Gratitude for God’s goodness honors God. “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18). Thanksgiving should characterize the life of every saint in Christ. In fact, God judges ingratitude as a great sin, worthy of condemnation (Rom. 1:21).\r\n\r\nThe Contempt of Mere Gratitude\r\nAt the same time, <em>mere</em> love to God for gifts received insults God. Just ask Job. He suffered to counter Satan’s cynical accusation that his love to God was nothing more than a love of God’s benefits (Job 1:6-11; 2:3-5). Christ tells us that such a love rises no higher than that of unbelievers (Luke 6:31-34). Moreover, to say that love to God involves nothing more than a love of God’s benefits implies that God, by Himself, is not worth loving.\r\n\r\nWhat, then, constitutes the essential ingredient of a true love to God? According to Edwards, “The first foundation of a true love to God is that whereby He is in Himself lovely, or worthy to be loved, or the supreme loveliness of His nature...God’s nature or divinity is infinitely excellent; yea it is infinite beauty, brightness, and glory itself.”[1] This beauty we see when God opens our spiritual eyes: “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who had shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). Thus we “praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness” (Ps. 150:2). We love His blessings, but a true love to God loves Him for who He is, first and foremost, in addition to gratitude for His blessings. To <em>love</em> God is to love <em>God</em>.\r\n\r\nCan You Love God’s Blessings and Not Love God?\r\nYes. Consider the crowds rejoicing at Christ’s miracles when later some called for the release of Barabbas when Jesus stood bleeding and humiliated before Pilate. They “loved” him as long as they thought He would give them their desires, but abandoned Him when their hope for deliverance from Rome was dashed. Even today, stadiums fill to capacity by promises of great worldly blessings, with little consideration of the beauty of God’s attributes.\r\n\r\nBut, doesn’t 1 John 4:19 teach that the blessings of God produce our love to God when it says, “<em>We love because He first loved us</em>”? Yes, in a sense, but we also love Him for the character displayed in His benevolence. Moreover, He first loved us “because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom. 5:5). We love God because He gave us new life and hearts of love for His intrinsic excellence. We love Him for His great benefits, including salvation, but His greatest gift to us is Himself.\r\n\r\nBeauty in the Gift\r\nAs every blessing from God reveals the goodness of God, our proper response includes gratitude for the gift <em>and love to character of God revealed in the giving of it</em>. Thus, by Christ’s saving work we receive infinite benefits and, more importantly, we see the greatest display of the ultimate object of our love, the infinite excellence of God. We see the beauty of God’s attributes in His purpose to save us and in Christ’s perfect life and voluntary obedience that endured the punishment for our sin upon the cross. In the ministry of Christ we see the boundless and holy love that endured infinite wrath for His condemned and undeserving bride, the righteousness that could not save without the satisfaction of God’s perfect justice, His power in defeating death and the devil; His wisdom in saving the unsavable, loving the unlovable, and producing the best from the worst, and all in a manner consistent with His holiness. We see His grace, patience, truthfulness and faithfulness, mercy, and immutability, etc.\r\n\r\nTrue Love of Loveliness\r\nGod’s love toward us and our love toward God form the foundation of our joy, the supreme motivation of our life (1 Pet. 1:3-9). The mere love of blessings without a true love to God not only dishonors God, it flows hot and cold as the blessings come and go. A mercenary love evaporates when benefits dry up or persecution strikes. But, the love founded on God’s excellence abides, for the object of its affection remains infinitely lovely, forever.\r\n\r\nThe true saint participates in God’s ultimate purpose to display and communicate His glory by responding to the sight of His excellence with a love for His loveliness and gratitude for His blessings. Therefore, as we sing, “count your blessings, name them one by one,” give glory to God who gives them, because the gifts and the giving display the infinite excellence of the Giver. To Him be all praise through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.\r\n\r\n[1] Jonathan Edwards, <em>Religious Affections</em>, Banner of Truth, 168; Yale, <em>WJE</em>, 2:242.\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Is Love to God No More Than Self-Love?','','inherit','closed','closed','','9958-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:53:10','2023-03-21 10:53:10','',9958,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14861',0,'revision','',0),(14862,1,'2023-03-21 10:53:13','2023-03-21 10:53:13','“Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual <em>forces</em> of wickedness in the heavenly <em>places</em>” (Ephesians 6:11-12).\r\n\r\nChristians are fighting a war, but not like the wars fought between nations with earthly weapons to kill. We fight to bring life and eternal happiness, with the Word of God as our weapon. And as our ancient foe hated and sought to destroy Christ, he hates and seeks to destroy us. So, while our soul enjoys peace in Christ, a casual disregard of the dangers of the conflict invites injury to our spiritual and possibly our physical life, and great damage to the mission of the church to display and communicate the glory of God to a lost world. Rest from the struggle against evil awaits us in glory.\r\n\r\nBattlefield Advantage\r\nNations spend billions to know their adversaries, while generals gain a battlefield advantage by access to the game plan of the enemy. In a similar way, it behooves every believer to know the nature and tactics of our great adversary. Ignorance of Satan’s schemes risks falling victim to them. Christ said, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Paul, instructing the Corinthians about Satan, said, “We are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). And, as Peter warned, “Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). We do well to know his goals and tactics.\r\n\r\nDanger\r\nAt the same time, an undue focus on Satan and evil poses great danger to the believer. Sharing in God’s ultimate purpose to display and communicate His infinite excellence requires a laser-like focus on Christ to grow in our knowledge and love of God, while excessive attention to Satan and evil will not only distract us from our highest priority, it can spoil our walk with God and make us unfruitful. We don’t grow in the joy of knowing and serving Christ with Satan as the center of our gaze. What, then, are the goals and methods of our evil opponent, and how do we best understand them without harm to our spiritual life?\r\n\r\nThe Key to the Enemy’s Playbook\r\nIn short, the key to recognizing, understanding, and responding to Satan’s devices rests on knowing God’s ultimate purpose to display His infinite excellence through the person and saving work of Christ, and how God works to further His purpose. Everything God does, from creation to the consummation of all things, including every aspect of our individual lives, is geared to this glorious end. Thus, the essential and consistent nature of Satan’s opposition to God involves the discredit and destruction of anything that furthers the display and communication of God’s glory. If you understand this, then as you develop a more comprehensive understanding of the many ways God displays His excellence in the particulars of life, you will grow in your ability to recognize and resist the Devil’s work to destroy God’s purpose in them.\r\n\r\nConsider a few examples from Satan’s playbook. The marvelous design and beauty of the universe and everything in it declare God’s power, genius, and goodness—<em>call them an accident of time, chance, and evolution</em>. The Word of God displays and explains God’s excellence—<em>reduce its historical accounts to unhistorical moral lessons and its every truth to the mere opinions of men</em>. Christ displays God’s perfections, while His saving work gives the greatest and clearest picture of God’s excellence—<em>call Him a mere man, prophet, or martyr</em>. Marriage displays the marvelous relationship of Christ to His church—<em>destroy it</em>. The different roles of men and women together comprise the image of God and the relationship of the person of the Trinity—<em>confuse and pervert them</em>. The fruits of the Spirit display God’s character—<em>incite the fruits of the flesh</em>. And so on. Satan’s ploys have remained consistent and predictable since his fall from glory in heaven, even as he adjusts the appearance and taste of his deadly poisons to entice different people in different circumstances.\r\n\r\nFix Your Gaze\r\nOur need to understand the nature and tactics of the enemy is great, but greater still remains our need to know God. Thus, even as the intensity and frequency of attacks on faith in Christ increase, we dare not turn our gaze from the source of our strength and wisdom in the battle. We need not abandon our focus, for the better we know God, the more we will understand that which opposes and insults Him. The more deeply we love His beauty and excellence, the more we will discern and resist the ugliness of evil. The more we know truth, the more we discern error.\r\n\r\nThus, by growing in our knowledge of the infinite excellence of God, we not only grow in our faith, love, and joy in Christ, we better see and resist that which opposes God and the Gospel. And by the practice of applying what we know, we train our senses to discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:14), even as we put on the armor of God by which we may “stand firm” against the Devil’s designs. We need not turn our attention from God’s beauty; rather, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Thus, may “grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:2-3). By this we will see the evil of our enemy as it appears against the infinite excellence of our Savior and God. Amen.\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Know Your Enemy','','inherit','closed','closed','','9939-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:53:13','2023-03-21 10:53:13','',9939,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14862',0,'revision','',0),(14863,1,'2023-03-21 10:54:06','2023-03-21 10:54:06','','Saving_Faith_Impossible_wo_Repentance-9_1_16-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','saving_faith_impossible_wo_repentance-9_1_16-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:54:06','2023-03-21 10:54:06','',9907,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Saving_Faith_Impossible_wo_Repentance-9_1_16-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14864,1,'2023-03-21 10:54:16','2023-03-21 10:54:16','','Death-by-Relevance-8_25_16-300w1-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','death-by-relevance-8_25_16-300w1-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:54:16','2023-03-21 10:54:16','',9870,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Death-by-Relevance-8_25_16-300w1-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14865,1,'2023-03-21 10:54:22','2023-03-21 10:54:22','','Two-Unbearable-Words-the-Nature-of-Xn-Hope-8_11_16-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','two-unbearable-words-the-nature-of-xn-hope-8_11_16-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:54:22','2023-03-21 10:54:22','',9828,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Two-Unbearable-Words-the-Nature-of-Xn-Hope-8_11_16-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14866,1,'2023-03-21 10:54:25','2023-03-21 10:54:25','','Two-Unbearable-Words-the-Nature-of-Xn-Hope-8_11_16-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','two-unbearable-words-the-nature-of-xn-hope-8_11_16-300w-150x150-2','','','2023-03-21 10:54:25','2023-03-21 10:54:25','',9761,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Two-Unbearable-Words-the-Nature-of-Xn-Hope-8_11_16-300w-150x150-2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14867,1,'2023-03-21 10:54:29','2023-03-21 10:54:29','','Health-Wealth-8-4-16-300w-2-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','health-wealth-8-4-16-300w-2-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:54:29','2023-03-21 10:54:29','',9720,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Health-Wealth-8-4-16-300w-2-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14868,1,'2023-03-21 10:54:34','2023-03-21 10:54:34','We are saved by grace through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ—alone. Nothing can be added to Christ’s perfect work or to faith by which the salvation He accomplished becomes ours. Simple faith the size of a mustard seed unites to Christ, in whom the righteousness of His perfect obedience and payment of the penalty required by God’s justice is imputed (credited) to us, by which we are justified forever. God’s justice demands no less for the forgiveness of sin and eternal life.\r\n\r\nThe call to faith, however, also includes a call to repentance. Indeed, saving faith cannot exist without repentance. How can this be?\r\n\r\nA Change of Heart\r\nIf you have you ever watch a loved one suffer from cancer or some other horrible disease you can easily understand how love to someone cannot abide with love for the disease that hurts them. In the same way, we cannot embrace both Christ and evil that is His enemy. Light and darkness are incompatible; love to one implies hate for the other. Thus, none can love a God of moral perfection and love moral darkness at the same time. And yes, our every sin chooses, for the moment, moral darkness over the light of God’s perfect will. (No one lives in perfect conformity with God’s holy standards this side of glory.) Yet, none can embrace the One whose beauty is holiness, while sin remains the supreme and enduring love of one’s heart. Never can these opposite principles share preeminence in the same soul.\r\n\r\nTherefore, saving faith always includes turning from the love of darkness to the love of light, from the love of sin to the love of holiness. Indeed, one cannot love God without loving the holiness that renders His every attribute beautiful. This helps explain why faith that merely seeks to avoid hell cannot be a true and saving faith if the love of evil remains supreme in the heart. People do not like to suffer and may gladly accept a “get out of jail free” card if it does not require a change of heart and life. But faith without a new nature saves no one.\r\n\r\nA Change of Faith\r\nSecond, while unbelief lacks <em>saving faith</em>, it does not lack faith, <em>per se</em>. All unbelief is faith in something or someone other than God. All people are people of faith, in this sense, but not all people have faith in the only true God. Thus, the call to saving faith in Christ always involves a call to repent of a misplaced faith. For instance, trusting Christ’s righteousness alone for salvation involves turning from trust in our own righteousness, or turning to God from idols.\r\n\r\nA Change of Worldview\r\nThird, the call to faith in Christ requires repentance from a false worldview to the true, biblical worldview. To trust Christ for salvation involves a changed view of God, His universe, and who we are with respect to God. True faith no longer views God as unreal, unimportant, unknowable, or made-up, but as the triune and self-existent creator of all things that He has revealed Himself to be in Scripture. Our view of our self, mankind, and reality changes from uncreated and independent of God to created, dependent, and sustained by God. We trust Christ as the redeemer of condemned sinners before a holy God.\r\n\r\nMoreover, our change in worldview involves a new view of knowledge, truth, and authority. The unbelieving worldview sees knowledge as attainable without God and truth as determined by our own interpretation of reality, while the believing worldview accepts our dependence on God as the source of all knowledge and truth. In trusting Christ, our supreme authority shifts from personal opinion to God and Scripture as the ultimate explanation of Himself, His world, sin, judgment, Christ, the Gospel, etc. One cannot trust Christ without trusting God’s revelation of His person and works. We embrace a real and sufficient Savior as revealed to us in the Bible, not a fantasy or abstract idea of our own making.\r\n\r\nAlso, because saving faith accompanies a change of one’s heart toward God and evil, from a love of darkness to the love of holiness, so it involves a change of our source and standard of morality. Indeed, saving faith comes to Christ in obedience to the exhortations of Scripture, our new rule of life and godliness. And while our practice remains imperfect this side of glory, we repent of the idea that we determine right and wrong and can do what we please. Repentance turns from self to God as our supreme moral authority.\r\n\r\nAn Enduring Change\r\nThus, the simple saving faith that unites us to Christ cannot exist without repentance. The heart at war with God will not love and trust Christ until the enmity dissipates and Christ is embraced for the glorious Lord and Savior He is. At the same time, our knowledge remains imperfect and our best works tainted with sin. In fact, as Edwards paraphrased Shepard, “sometimes the change made in a saint, at first, is like a confused chaos; so that the saints know not what to make of it.”[1] Nonetheless, the heart must change and the fruit of the transformation emerge, even while our love and gratitude for His grace have barely begun to grasp the height of His excellence. By the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, our new nature will display itself in new affections, a new direction, new priorities, and good works, even if they are not immediately and always visible to others at every moment. The change will be real and enduring. Thus, repentance always accompanies saving faith, even as it contributes nothing to justification according to God’s perfect standard of righteousness, the standard met by Christ—alone. And so, with faith and new hearts of love to Christ, we sing, “In my hand no price I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.”[2]\r\n\r\n[1] Jonathan Edwards speaking of an observation by Thomas Shepard in <em>Religious Affections</em>, Banner of Truth, 89; Yale <em>WJE</em>, Vol. 2, 161.\r\n[2] From the hymn, <em>Rock of Ages</em>, by Augustus M. Toplady (1740-1778).\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Why Saving Faith Is Impossible Without Repentance','','inherit','closed','closed','','9907-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:54:34','2023-03-21 10:54:34','',9907,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14868',0,'revision','',0),(14869,1,'2023-03-21 10:54:41','2023-03-21 10:54:41','God created, orders, sustains, and owns everything. Apart from God we have nothing, can do nothing, and can know nothing. He determines our existence, purpose, and destiny, without whom our every pursuit reduces to pointless absurdity. Therefore, we owe God all love, honor, and obedience—with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength—forever. Nothing, then, is more relevant to every aspect of life than God and what He has told us about His person and works in Scripture. And nothing can make Him more relevant.\r\n\r\nUnderstanding and Application\r\nDifferent people mean different things when they speak of making God and Scripture relevant. Some mean the good and necessary task of using language and illustrations that make God’s truth understandable, a good thing. Others may mean the proper biblical task of showing how God’s acts and attributes apply to our daily lives, another good thing. Yet, for many, the idea of making God and Scripture relevant means something entirely different, something dubious and dangerous.\r\n\r\nThe “Fresh” Way of Irrelevance\r\nFor a great many folks, God and Scripture become relevant when they are re-interpreted to conform to the dominant beliefs of our culture. For some, truth and morality are relative, while the ancient and culturally conditioned reflections recorded in Scripture need “fresh” interpretations according to the spirit of the age. As a human work, then, the Bible’s “musings” are neither timeless nor absolute truth.\r\n\r\nViews of Scripture differ along a continuum from the more conservative and orthodox view of inerrancy and divine inspiration to atheism and Scripture as a human work, with various shades in-between. Some accept the majority of what Scripture teaches, while modifying doctrines the culture finds particularly offensive. In any case, for unbelievers to see God and Scripture as relevant requires a new heart or a new God and Scripture. The latter involves accepting the preferences, beliefs, and faith assumptions of the unbelieving worldview, rather than challenging and exposing them as unjustified and contrary to reality. By failing to present unbelief as the rejection of God’s infinite excellence and authority, God and the Bible are molded to fit a worldview that denies what God has revealed about Himself, His revelation, and His world. Thus, we dim the Light to suit those in darkness, though their greatest need is the Light. And while changing God’s message to make it acceptable to contemporary culture not only reflects disrespect for God’s authority and will by exalting our own, it paves a fast track to irrelevance when cultures change (and they always do). And worse, it guarantees irrelevance by conforming God and Scripture to the faith assumptions underlying <em>all</em> unbelief, in <em>any</em> age or culture. Transcendent and eternal truth becomes neither when chasing the latest cultural fad or popular manifestation of unbelief.\r\n\r\nThe Opportunity of Post-Modernism\r\nChristians often struggle reaching a “post-modern” generation that rejects authority and absolutes, including (and primarily) the authority of Scripture, where the Bible contains a collection of stories devoid of historical accuracy and ancient speculations devoid of propositional truth. Yet, we confront nothing new or unique in the rejection of God’s authority and will—it began in the Garden of Eden and has lodged in every heart ever since. What appears unique in post-modernism involves a relatively greater willingness to openly reject God and His absolute truth and moral principles in a Western, post-Christian culture. In this sense, post-modernism represents a more honest display of unbelief without the facade of respect for God. A book named <em>God Is Not Great</em> would not have been popular 100 years ago, though the essential nature of unbelief remains unchanged.\r\n\r\nYet, despite its open hostility to Christ and the Gospel, the clear rejection of Christianity provides believers with an opportunity. Not only do the excellence of Christ and the Gospel shine brighter against a dark background, the false pretenses of life with meaning and knowledge of eternal realities apart from God and Scripture are more easily exposed when unbelief appears obvious. But, we squander the opportunity when we try to reach people by deemphasizing or denying God’s ultimate authority and the nature of Scripture as historically accurate and absolute truth—we muddy the waters of life and dull the radiance of Christ and the Gospel. Those purporting to help Christianity by this defense-by-surrender scheme affirm the legitimacy of unbelief and deny the nature of God and reality as He has created and explained it. Patients dying from poisoning need an antidote, not more poison.\r\n\r\nThe Terrible Cost of Unfaithfulness\r\nSadly, those trying to make God and Scripture relevant to a culture that rejects God’s absolute authority and truth may spare themselves a few sneers from their peers, or even gain a bit of respectability in the halls of unbelieving academia, but they also affirm a worldview that renders life meaningless and God as absent, impotent, or nonexistent. And regardless of motive, if we dilute the soul-saving medicine for a world Christ suffered infinite wrath to save, we help no one. Better we use our God-given abilities to proclaim and explain the God-given message of the excellence of God, without whom we have nothing, can do nothing, and know nothing. We proclaim the infinite God who stands as supremely relevant in any age or circumstance. To Him we owe all love, honor, and obedience—including faithfulness to the message He gave us to deliver to a dark world in desperate need of Christ.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Death by Relevance','','inherit','closed','closed','','9870-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:54:41','2023-03-21 10:54:41','',9870,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14869',0,'revision','',0),(14870,1,'2023-03-21 10:54:45','2023-03-21 10:54:45','In the previous post we considered “no hope” as the words behind a broken spirit, the two words that carry such unbearable darkness that no one can withstand their power. We compared wishful thinking to the assurance of Christian hope, and saw that hope can be false, uncertain, or certain according to the ability and will of hope’s object to fulfill it. The certainty of Christian hope stands on the infinite excellence of God, with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as its creator, purchaser, and guarantor. We turn now to the importance and cultivation of a healthy Christian hope.\r\n\r\nThe Command to Hope\r\nLike Faith, God tells us to have hope, while a lack of hope may stem from ignorance, a lack of attention to God and His promises, or unbelief. “O Israel, hope in the LORD, from this time forth and forever” (Psalm 131:3). “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him” (Psalm 62:5). “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). “Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober <em>in spirit</em>, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13).\r\n\r\nThe Nurture of Hope\r\nAs believers, we can easily fall prey to discouragement in a world of bad news and blasphemy of the excellence of Christ and the Gospel. But, despite our difficulties and bouts of gloom, we can’t afford to neglect Scripture, prayer, worship, fellowship, and ministry to others, because hope grows by an active love and pursuit of God in these things. Like faith and assurance, hope must be cultivated: “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end” (Hebrews 6:11). Perseverance and Bible study strengthen hope, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).\r\n<blockquote>“Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5: 1-5).</blockquote>\r\nThe more we know and love the infinite excellence of God in Christ, the more we long to be with Him where the beauty of His holiness shines the brightest. And the more we hope for heaven and His appearing, the more we will honor and obey Him, for a healthy hope not only produces comfort, joy, service, and prayer, it motivates faithfulness and purity. “The hope of the righteous is gladness” (Proverbs 10:28). “Give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer” (Romans 12:12). “We know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. Everyone who has this hope <em>fixed</em> on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2b-3). And as our hope encourages these things, so our diligence in them increases our hope.\r\n<blockquote>“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, \\\"I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply you.\\\" And thus, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. For men swear by one greater <em>than themselves</em>, and with them an oath <em>given</em> as confirmation is an end of every dispute. In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a <em>hope</em> both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us” (Hebrews 6:10-20).</blockquote>\r\nTherefore, as the storm clouds gather we need not despair, for our hope will soon be realized by eternal joy in the presence of Christ. Until then, we serve Christ and His body and seek that others may know Him, even as we grow in the comfort of His promises, the joy of His soon appearing, and the infinite bliss of being with Him forever. Amen.\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Two Unbearable Words: The Nature of Christian Hope (Part 2 of 2)','','inherit','closed','closed','','9828-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:54:45','2023-03-21 10:54:45','',9828,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14870',0,'revision','',0),(14871,1,'2023-03-21 10:54:51','2023-03-21 10:54:51','Two small words. When heard on the battlefield, in the hospital waiting room, or in our darkest thoughts, they bring despair. Two words that carry such anguish that no one can withstand their power. What, then, are these two unbearable words? “No hope.” Proverbs 18:14 tells us, “The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear?” A broken spirit is a spirit without hope.\r\n\r\nThe loss of hope is a terrible thing. Without hope, life’s troubles bring discouragement, depression, despair, and even death. We can bear the doctor’s frightful diagnosis with hope for a cure. We can endure the separation from a loved one with hope for a reunion. We can endure certain death with the hope of eternal life and infinite joy in the presence of God forever. But where no hope exists—we are undone.\r\n\r\nThe Nature of Hope\r\nThe word “hope” generally expresses two different ideas. The more common meaning, especially outside of the Christian context, entails wishful thinking, the desire for something we might not receive. For instance, we may hope for a new job, or pray and hope for good health, while not knowing if we will receive them. We may hope for a better day but not know what a day may bring.\r\n\r\nHope also refers to a desire for something we are certain to receive, an <em>assurance concerning the future</em>. This is Christian hope. However uncertain our circumstances, or however God <em>may</em> answer our prayers, we <em>know for certain</em> He will work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). As believers, we often have uncertain and certain hope at the same time. For instance, we may pray and hope for deliverance from a present trouble and not know if, when, or how God will answer our prayer (uncertain hope), while knowing He will ultimately deliver us and that our eternal destiny remains secure in Christ (certain hope). “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever” (Deuteronomy 29:29). Uncertain hope involves the “secret things,” while our sure hope rests on the “things revealed.”\r\n\r\nThe Object of Hope\r\nLike faith, hope depends on its object. Hope can be <em>false</em> when we look to something or someone that <em>cannot</em> fulfill it: “A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength” (Psalm 33:17). Hope can be <em>uncertain</em> when it stands on something or someone that <em>may not be able or willing</em> to fulfill it. And hope is <em>sure</em> when it rests in something or someone <em>absolutely able and willing</em> to fulfill it (Christian hope). Like faith, the object of our hope is Christ: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, <em>who is</em> our hope” (1 Timothy 1:1).\r\n\r\nChristian Hope Stands on the Excellence of God the Father\r\n<em>God the Father</em> began our hope by creating the plan for our eternal happiness and by sending Christ to accomplish it. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16). “For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you, who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:20-21).\r\n\r\nChristian Hope Stands on the Excellence of God the Son\r\nFrom a heart of love for His future bride, <em>God the Son</em> freely volunteered to become a man and purchase our hope according to the will of the Father. In so doing, His character and work would display the infinite excellence of God, the ultimate foundation of our faith and hope. Christ purchased us and qualified us to be His bride and God’s children, fitting us for heaven by satisfying God’s justice by perfect obedience unto death on the cross. By saving unworthy sinners, Christ satisfied God’s ultimate purpose to display His infinite excellence. In Christ we see God’s perfect power and faithfulness to fulfill His promises, His righteousness in satisfying His justice on our behalf, and His infinite love in suffering and dying to save us. “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).\r\n\r\nChristian Hope Stands on the Excellence of God the Holy Spirit\r\nThe <em>Holy Spirit</em> guarantees our hope. He unites us to Christ, gives us spiritual eyes to see God’s excellence and the truth of His promises, and dwells in us to produce hope, faith, and love toward God in our hearts. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). “For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave <em>us</em> the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge” (2 Corinthians 1:20-22).\r\n\r\nThus our hope stands on the infinite excellence of God, who will fulfill the hope He started, purchased, and produces in us. In the display of His glory in the person and work of Christ, He so exhibits His perfect character that He assures us that His promises will never fail. To the praise of His glory He has guaranteed that He is able, willing, and certain to fulfill our hope in Him. Amen!\r\n\r\nIn Part Two we will examine the means and importance of nurturing a healthy hope.\r\n\r\nScripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Two Unbearable Words: The Nature of Christian Hope (Part 1 of 2)','','inherit','closed','closed','','9761-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:54:51','2023-03-21 10:54:51','',9761,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14871',0,'revision','',0),(14872,1,'2023-03-21 10:54:57','2023-03-21 10:54:57','Many popular preachers today teach that God always wants us healthy, wealthy, successful, and powerful <em>in this life</em>. Their message implies, and sometimes explicitly states, that we only lack these blessings because we lack faith. In other words, God intends none of these problems for His beloved children, while the blame for our earthly troubles, trials, and sickness resides with us.\r\n\r\nSome Historical Perspective\r\nBut, if we take earthly health, wealth, success, and power as the measure of God’s favor and blessing, we must conclude that Christ, the Apostles, the early church, and many of the godliest saints of history suffered from an extreme lack of faith. Christ lived in relative poverty and died a horrible and humiliating death. The Apostle Paul’s resume includes prison and a long list of hardships. Not only was he a failure by the world’s standards, he viewed his troubles as evidence of his genuine apostleship and faith as compared to the false “apostles” that opposed him:\r\n<blockquote>Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine <em>lashes</em>. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. <em>I have been</em> on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from <em>my</em> countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; <em>I have been</em> in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure” (2 Corinthians 11:23-27 NAS).</blockquote>\r\nBelievers under the rule of ancient Rome sometimes lived underground in the catacombs to avoid persecution. Others were imprisoned, executed, or mauled and killed as spectacles in the arena. Faithful saints throughout history have suffered while their wicked persecutors enjoyed great health, wealth, success, and power.[1] Many Christians today languish in prisons and work camps, are unfairly prosecuted, or murdered for their testimony. Do they suffer because they lack faith? Many suffer precisely because they have faith enough to proclaim Christ in the face of fierce opposition. And what should we say about the suffering heroes of the “Faith Hall of Fame” described in Hebrews 11? Were they failures? Were they faithless, even as God commends their faith and calls them men “of whom the world was not worthy”? (v. 38).\r\n\r\nTrue Health\r\nGod also wants His children to be <em>healthy</em>, but His primary concern involves our spiritual health, and He often uses physical sickness and suffering to produce it. God uses our pain and problems to mold our character and eternally bless us: “we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4 NAS). “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NAS).\r\n\r\nTrue Wealth\r\nGod also wants us to be <em>wealthy</em> with “the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God\\\'s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3 ESV). Earthly wealth, however, can hinder and even destroy the spiritual riches God desires for us, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Timothy 6:10-11). Our riches await us, for we have been “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to <em>obtain</em> an inheritance <em>which is</em> imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4 NAS). Because earthly wealth can easily lead us astray, \\\"Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:20-21 NAS).\r\n\r\nTrue Success\r\nAdditionally, God gives us “overwhelming” success, even when persecuted, suffering, and killed for Christ’s sake: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, ‘For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ But in all these things we <em>overwhelmingly conquer</em> through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:35-37 NAS, <em>emphasis mine</em>). Indeed, the greatest worldly success can be the greatest failure: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36 NAS). Eternity matters.\r\n\r\nTrue Power\r\nLastly, God gives us <em>power</em>. But, when Paul begged God to remove the “thorn in the flesh” that God provided to keep him humble, God said no: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness\\\" (2 Corinthians 12:9 NAS), to which Paul replied,\r\n<blockquote>“Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ\\\'s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NAS).</blockquote>\r\nPaul could say to Timothy, “Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with <em>me</em> in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:7-8 NAS). In His otherworldly approach, “God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27 NAS), and that includes you and me.\r\n\r\nThe Eternal and Unseen\r\nIn closing, “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18 NAS). “Our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21 NAS). Until then, we trust, obey, and rejoice, with or without earthly health, wealth, success, and power, because the greatest blessings lie elsewhere. We can freely ask God for healing and blessings that we might be blessed and bless our family, the church, and those in need of Christ, but we do best pointing to our infinitely greater eternal blessings in Christ, for “we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NAS).\r\n\r\n[1] See Psalm 73.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Eternal Health, Wealth, Success, and Power','','inherit','closed','closed','','9720-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:54:57','2023-03-21 10:54:57','',9720,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14872',0,'revision','',0),(14873,1,'2023-03-21 10:55:38','2023-03-21 10:55:38','','the-Glory-of-Reproach-7-28-16-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','the-glory-of-reproach-7-28-16-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:55:38','2023-03-21 10:55:38','',9634,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/the-Glory-of-Reproach-7-28-16-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14874,1,'2023-03-21 10:55:50','2023-03-21 10:55:50','','Made-Beautiful-7_7_16-313w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','made-beautiful-7_7_16-313w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:55:50','2023-03-21 10:55:50','',9418,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Made-Beautiful-7_7_16-313w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14875,1,'2023-03-21 10:55:52','2023-03-21 10:55:52','','space-junk-in-courtyards-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','space-junk-in-courtyards-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:55:52','2023-03-21 10:55:52','',9556,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/space-junk-in-courtyards-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14876,1,'2023-03-21 10:55:53','2023-03-21 10:55:53','','why-does-power-corrupt-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','why-does-power-corrupt-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:55:53','2023-03-21 10:55:53','',9479,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/why-does-power-corrupt-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14877,1,'2023-03-21 10:55:58','2023-03-21 10:55:58','\\\"If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19 NAS).\\\"\r\n\r\nWhose Favor?\r\nNo one likes to be called an idiot, and certainly no one wants to be hated. And Scripture tells us, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold” (Proverbs 22:1 ESV). But, the value of a good reputation also depends on who holds the favorable opinion. The praise of some folks we can do without. In fact, we are known as much by the kinds of people who oppose us as by the company we keep and the people who hold us in high regard. Whose favor, then, do we seek in a world hostile to God?\r\n\r\nThe Reproach of Christ\r\nConsider the reproach endured by Christ in His earthly ministry and ask: for what crime did the Creator of the universe earn such disgrace? Was it His perfect character when He healed the sick and raised the dead, gave eyes to the blind, legs to the lame, and food for the hungry? Was it His life-giving truth that others might share in His eternal happiness? The crowds admired His words and power as they chased Him about the countryside to see His miracles. But, when they saw their would-be savior from the bondage of Rome bleeding under the power of Rome, they shouted for His death. With the exception of His crucifixion, never did a more horrible scene of reproach and humiliation appear on the stage of history. “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” (John 1:11).\r\n\r\nBeauty in the Furnace\r\nYet, from the overflow of His infinite love, He willingly embraced shame and death for the eternal benefit of His enemies. And even as the disgraceful affair exposed the depth of human corruption, it could only highlight the infinite excellence of Christ. The beauty of His love and holiness glowed white in the fiery furnace of His reproach and death. The world’s rejection of Christ and Scripture dims none of their glory, as the scorn of holy perfection points to wickedness in the observer, not defects in God or His revelation. God’s world and Word bear the clear marks of the power and excellence of their Creator and Author. To view the Gospel as foolish, to interpret Scripture according to naturalistic assumptions of unbelief, or to fail to love God for His infinite goodness reflect a fallen heart, not defects in God’s truth. “Let God be true though everyone were a liar” (Romans 3:4).\r\n\r\nDimming the Light\r\nThus, when we face the hostility of an increasingly evil world, we should never seek the favor of God’s enemies by altering or ignoring the more offensive aspects of His truth. Of course, we need to be careful how and when we speak, for “the wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness” (Proverbs 16:21 ESV). And, as saved by the infinite grace of God, love and humility should always adorn truth and our interaction with people in need of Christ. Yet, we have been called to deliver the King’s letter, not rewrite it to avoid the sneers of those who reject its contents. We dishonor God and hurt those in need of Christ by diluting its life-giving medicine, or adapting it to unbelieving assumptions about God and the world. And when our method and message become acceptable or favorable to those who oppose the glory of Christ and the Gospel, it may be that the light we shine is obscured or tainted by darkness. “The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted” (Proverbs 29:25 NAS).\r\n\r\nReviled and Blessed\r\nWe have been adopted and united to the One who bore our shame and punishment to gain our eternal happiness. Therefore, “if <em>anyone suffers</em> as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God” (1 Peter 4:16 NAS). “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, <em>you are</em> blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled” (1 Peter 3:14 NAS). As we exalt our Savior and Forerunner in the growing darkness, God will encourage our hearts as the glory of Christ shines in and through us. “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14 NAS). So, when we are tempted to make Scripture and its historical accounts acceptable to an unbelieving culture to avoid their rejection and disdain, we should consider whose favor we seek: “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17 ESV). Indeed, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day, and leap <em>for joy</em>, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets” (Luke 6:22-23 NAS). May God gives us grace to bear His reproach, to the praise of His excellence and the good of those in need of forgiveness and eternal life in Christ.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Glory of Reproach','','inherit','closed','closed','','9634-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:55:58','2023-03-21 10:55:58','',9634,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14877',0,'revision','',0),(14878,1,'2023-03-21 10:55:59','2023-03-21 10:55:59','','Finding_glory_pain_problems_part1-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','finding_glory_pain_problems_part1-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:55:59','2023-03-21 10:55:59','',9369,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Finding_glory_pain_problems_part1-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14879,1,'2023-03-21 10:56:09','2023-03-21 10:56:09','Many, many moons ago, a company where I worked built a new multi-million-dollar facility in a large and popular business district. The wings of the new building wrapped around a beautiful courtyard with well-groomed flower beds, trees, benches, and a path that wound its way past an assortment of sculptures.\r\n\r\nModern Sculpture\r\nThe trees and flowers were traditional, with great design, symmetry, color coordination, and life, while the artwork was decidedly modern, bearing marks of random and eccentric license, with a dash of the absurd. Of course, the latter may have been the point. I recognized one the objects as having been outside the art building of the university I had attended a few years earlier. “The Chair,” as we affectionately called it, was a block of cement or stone fashioned into what looked like a square bean bag or crude throne, though I never saw anyone sit on it. Somehow it found its new home in the courtyard. One piece, which some affectionately called the “Lincoln Log,” showed great skill in the display of unclad images in a brown cylinder that resembled, well, a very large Lincoln Log. A Michelangelo it wasn’t, but neither did it deserve the unfair label of “space junk,” as I called it, given I knew very little about space junk.\r\n\r\nThe budget for the art collection was large, so I imagine the piece with the granite rocks sitting on a rusted metal frame conveyed something beyond what it looked like and fetched a pretty penny. It was simple enough, and anyone with a drill and some bolts could have attached the rocks to the frame, but few could have done so and sold it for a large sum of money. It seems I had underestimated the artists.\r\n\r\nA Worldview Barometer\r\nMy reflections on the courtyard followed a recent reading of Francis Schaeffer’s <em>How Should We Then Live</em>, a brilliant examination of the importance of the Christian worldview in the history of Western Culture, how we arrived with our present culture, and how the loss of our bearings as created by God in His image finds expression in the arts.[1]\r\n\r\nWhile I have yet to fathom the beauty of modern art, I can appreciate it as a cultural barometer, a statement of philosophy or worldview. In <em>The God Who Is There</em>, Schaeffer tells the story of John Cage, a modern composer who attempted to write, play, and direct “music” according to his worldview of a random chance universe. The result was either noise or silence. Cage was sometimes booed after performances and even had an orchestra hiss at him when he took his bows at the conclusion of a concert. Schaeffer observed that when people booed his work they booed the logical conclusion of his worldview of a chance universe “as it [struck] their ears in music.”[2]\r\n\r\nPeople love symphonies precisely because they do not reflect the worldview of a universe founded on and operating according to random chance. They like beautiful art, flowers, and anything aesthetically pleasing for the same reason. I believe that as we grow in our awareness of the genius and beauty of God displayed in His works, even as corrupted by The Fall, we will become less attracted to art and music that reflects a fractured and fallen worldview. Beauty, like goodness, is ultimately determined by God as that which most closely resembles <em>His beauty</em>. And the more we love God, the more we love the things that reflect His excellence.\r\n\r\nThe Ultimate Standard of Beauty\r\nAs believers, then, we should resist the temptation to relativize culture, including art and music, as if all forms are equal. Appreciation may lie in the beholder, but beauty lies in resemblance to the beauty of God and His handiwork. A Bach concerto written to the glory of God with great skill and genius is superior to a drunken Karaoke bit with an equally drunk garage band. A Michelangelo surpasses in genius and beauty the playdough creations of a three-year-old, even if we love them as created by our kids. When kids grow up, however, we should expect their art to mature along with them.\r\n\r\nSome things more closely resemble the beauty of God and His works, while others reflect our fallen nature and immaturity. Determining where one ends and the other begins in art can be difficult, but the difficulty in no way implies that all things equally reflect the beauty of God and His creation. Therefore, as we strive to conform our thoughts and actions to the holiness of God, so in our art and music we should strive to more closely portray the excellence of God’s beauty as reflected in His character and works.\r\n\r\n[1] Francis A. Schaeffer, <em>How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture</em> (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1976).\r\n\r\n[2] Francis A. Schaeffer, <em>The God Who Is There</em>, in <em>Francis Schaeffer Trilogy</em> (Wheaton: Crossway, 1990), 76-78.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Art, Space Junk, and Ultimate Beauty','','inherit','closed','closed','','9556-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:56:09','2023-03-21 10:56:09','',9556,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14879',0,'revision','',0),(14880,1,'2023-03-21 10:56:14','2023-03-21 10:56:14','“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”[1]\n\nWritten in 1887, the words of Lord Acton ring proverbial by the witness of history and experience. On a grand scale, great power does seem to create great tyrants. Even religious authorities and institutions tend to act worse as they amass greater power. On a more mundane level, compare the treatment you receive from someone who must compete for your business versus that from a monopoly or government agency where you have no choice or recourse. We could multiply examples ad infinitum. So why, then, does power have such a negative effect on people?\n\nAn Original Problem\nTo answer this important question, we need first to briefly examine “original sin,” our innate tendency to evil that began with our legal participation in the sin of Adam as he stood and fell in our place. Some reject the doctrine or struggle with how we can justly be punished for something we did not physically do. Yet, we all affirm Adam’s fall every time we sin, and Scripture teaches we are born with a sinful bent: “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me,” cries the Psalmist (Psalm 51:5 NAS). Moreover, “all sinned” in Adam; and by his one sin we all “died,” were judged and condemned, and were “made sinners” (Rom. 5:12,15,16,19). Indeed, “There is none righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:10 NAS). Thus, we are born into the world with the need to be “born again” (John 3:3-8).\n\nA Universal Problem\nAdditionally, our universal tendency to sin as soon as we are able points to a universal heart defect.[2] Yet, when theologians point to the sinfulness of mankind as evidence for original sin, opponents cry foul. For instance, a contemporary of Jonathan Edwards and opponent of the doctrine, wrote, “We must not take the measure of our health and enjoyments from a lazar-house [hospital], nor of our understanding from Bedlam [insane asylum], nor of our morals from a gaol [jail].”[3] In other words, don’t ignore the good and point to a small group of bad apples to represent the whole of humanity. Edwards admitted that people often behave quite well, but added that the fallen heart is best understood when we consider the many hindrances to its sinful display, including negative consequences for bad behavior, rewards for right behavior, and the grace of God that restrains sin and produces good in people. Remove these things and you will have a more accurate picture of the heart.\n\nTo illustrate, pick a city, maybe New York, Philadelphia, or Los Angeles. Then, turn out the lights, abolish all laws, penalties, courts, and jails, and send away the police. Moreover, remove every constraint, every negative consequence for bad behavior, every reward for good behavior, including the positive influence of the Spirit of God for good, and you will have evidence aplenty for original sin and the fallen nature of humanity.\n\nThe Deeper Question\nNow, consider the question, does power corrupt? If we mean by this that power makes people more prone to arrogance, ill treatment of others, despotism, and tyranny, most would likely agree that it does. “The poor man utters supplications, but the rich man answers roughly” (Prov. 18:23 NAS). But, if by the question we mean, does power corrupt a good heart, the answer is no. More power to a good heart produces more good works, while more power to an evil heart produces more evil works. God has infinite power and He always uses it for good, while Satan has great (but limited) power and always uses it for evil.\n\nOpportunity and Consequences\nWhat, then, accounts for power increasing evil behavior in people? For one, more power to a fallen nature provides greater opportunity for its expression by removing restraints and negative consequences. In this sense, power corrupts. For example, consider why we make harsh comments on the internet that we would never say to someone’s face, or why we act better standing in line with others than when driving unrecognized on a busy highway—anonymity eliminates accountability, embarrassment, and a great deal of negative fallout for poor behavior. This also explains why the loss of shame is so destructive to a culture; it removes a critical deterrent to bad conduct as people care less about how they act.\n\nBriefly consider why Hitler and the National Socialists (“Nazis”), as well as Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot did such horrific things. Unless someone had a bigger and better military and was willing to use it to punish their behavior, they did whatever their wicked hearts desired because they perceived little to no negative consequences. They assumed they could get away with it—even before God, whose existence they conveniently denied. Without delving into the many ways wickedness justifies itself before the judgments of our God-given conscience, every evil act in history, when restraints to bad behavior are reduced or removed, vindicates Scripture’s description of the fallen heart.\n\nAnd if you need more evidence, imagine the outcome of giving children whatever they want, whenever they want it, without discipline and instruction about right and wrong. You will soon have a headache and a great deal more evidence for original sin.\n\nConclusion\nPower “corrupts” because we are born corrupt, and because power gives the opportunity and impetus to act without fear of negative consequences. Power merely allows a pre-existing condition to appear in a more obvious, forceful, and destructive way. This explains why God withdrawing His grace to allow people to do whatever they please comprises one of the most terrifying judgments in Scripture. Left to our own devices, we will sink to lows we never dreamed possible. May God preserve us from such a fate as we run to Christ and abide in Him. And should He bless us with greater responsibility and service, may He grant us humility and grace to resist the temptation to petty arrogance, for “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 NAS). “Power belongs to God” (Psalm 62:11 NAS), but it is “perfected in weakness….for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9,10).\n\n[1] <a title=\"\\&quot;History\" href=\"//history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/165acton.html\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">http://history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/165acton.html</a>, accessed 7-7-16.\n[2] Jonathan Edwards, Original Sin, Yale Works, 3:136ff.\n[3] John Taylor, quoted in Jonathan Edwards, Original Sin, Yale Works, 3:109.\n\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\n\n<!--end table-text cell-->\n\n</div>\n<!--end modal window-->','Why Does Power Corrupt?','','inherit','closed','closed','','9479-autosave-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:56:14','2023-03-21 10:56:14','',9479,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14880',0,'revision','',0),(14881,1,'2023-03-21 10:56:18','2023-03-21 10:56:18','“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”[1]\r\n\r\nWritten in 1887, the words of Lord Acton ring proverbial by the witness of history and experience. On a grand scale, great power does seem to create great tyrants. Even religious authorities and institutions tend to act worse as they amass greater power. On a more mundane level, compare the treatment you receive from someone who must compete for your business versus that from a monopoly or government agency where you have no choice or recourse. We could multiply examples ad infinitum. So why, then, does power have such a negative effect on people?\r\n\r\nAn Original Problem\r\nTo answer this important question, we need first to briefly examine “original sin,” our innate tendency to evil that began with our legal participation in the sin of Adam as he stood and fell in our place. Some reject the doctrine or struggle with how we can justly be punished for something we did not physically do. Yet, we all affirm Adam’s fall every time we sin, and Scripture teaches we are born with a sinful bent: “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me,” cries the Psalmist (Psalm 51:5 NAS). Moreover, “all sinned” in Adam; and by his one sin we all “died,” were judged and condemned, and were “made sinners” (Rom. 5:12,15,16,19). Indeed, “There is none righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:10 NAS). Thus, we are born into the world with the need to be “born again” (John 3:3-8).\r\n\r\nA Universal Problem\r\nAdditionally, our universal tendency to sin as soon as we are able points to a universal heart defect.[2] Yet, when theologians point to the sinfulness of mankind as evidence for original sin, opponents cry foul. For instance, a contemporary of Jonathan Edwards and opponent of the doctrine, wrote, “We must not take the measure of our health and enjoyments from a lazar-house [hospital], nor of our understanding from Bedlam [insane asylum], nor of our morals from a gaol [jail].”[3] In other words, don’t ignore the good and point to a small group of bad apples to represent the whole of humanity. Edwards admitted that people often behave quite well, but added that the fallen heart is best understood when we consider the many hindrances to its sinful display, including negative consequences for bad behavior, rewards for right behavior, and the grace of God that restrains sin and produces good in people. Remove these things and you will have a more accurate picture of the heart.\r\n\r\nTo illustrate, pick a city, maybe New York, Philadelphia, or Los Angeles. Then, turn out the lights, abolish all laws, penalties, courts, and jails, and send away the police. Moreover, remove every constraint, every negative consequence for bad behavior, every reward for good behavior, including the positive influence of the Spirit of God for good, and you will have evidence aplenty for original sin and the fallen nature of humanity.\r\n\r\nThe Deeper Question\r\nNow, consider the question, does power corrupt? If we mean by this that power makes people more prone to arrogance, ill treatment of others, despotism, and tyranny, most would likely agree that it does. “The poor man utters supplications, but the rich man answers roughly” (Prov. 18:23 NAS). But, if by the question we mean, does power corrupt a good heart, the answer is no. More power to a good heart produces more good works, while more power to an evil heart produces more evil works. God has infinite power and He always uses it for good, while Satan has great (but limited) power and always uses it for evil.\r\n\r\nOpportunity and Consequences\r\nWhat, then, accounts for power increasing evil behavior in people? For one, more power to a fallen nature provides greater opportunity for its expression by removing restraints and negative consequences. In this sense, power corrupts. For example, consider why we make harsh comments on the internet that we would never say to someone’s face, or why we act better standing in line with others than when driving unrecognized on a busy highway—anonymity eliminates accountability, embarrassment, and a great deal of negative fallout for poor behavior. This also explains why the loss of shame is so destructive to a culture; it removes a critical deterrent to bad conduct as people care less about how they act.\r\n\r\nBriefly consider why Hitler and the National Socialists (“Nazis”), as well as Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot did such horrific things. Unless someone had a bigger and better military and was willing to use it to punish their behavior, they did whatever their wicked hearts desired because they perceived little to no negative consequences. They assumed they could get away with it—even before God, whose existence they conveniently denied. Without delving into the many ways wickedness justifies itself before the judgments of our God-given conscience, every evil act in history, when restraints to bad behavior are reduced or removed, vindicates Scripture’s description of the fallen heart.\r\n\r\nAnd if you need more evidence, imagine the outcome of giving children whatever they want, whenever they want it, without discipline and instruction about right and wrong. You will soon have a headache and a great deal more evidence for original sin.\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nPower “corrupts” because we are born corrupt, and because power gives the opportunity and impetus to act without fear of negative consequences. Power merely allows a pre-existing condition to appear in a more obvious, forceful, and destructive way. This explains why God withdrawing His grace to allow people to do whatever they please comprises one of the most terrifying judgments in Scripture. Left to our own devices, we will sink to lows we never dreamed possible. May God preserve us from such a fate as we run to Christ and abide in Him. And should He bless us with greater responsibility and service, may He grant us humility and grace to resist the temptation to petty arrogance, for “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 NAS). “Power belongs to God” (Psalm 62:11 NAS), but it is “perfected in weakness….for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9,10).\r\n\r\n[1] <a title=\"\\&quot;History\" href=\"//history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/165acton.html\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">http://history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/165acton.html</a>, accessed 7-7-16.\r\n[2] Jonathan Edwards, Original Sin, Yale Works, 3:136ff.\r\n[3] John Taylor, quoted in Jonathan Edwards, Original Sin, Yale Works, 3:109.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Why Does Power Corrupt?','','inherit','closed','closed','','9479-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:56:18','2023-03-21 10:56:18','',9479,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14881',0,'revision','',0),(14882,1,'2023-03-21 10:56:27','2023-03-21 10:56:27','The birth of the universe set the stage for the history of the world in the drama of redemption, with God as its author, producer, and director. The carefully designed scenes reveal the genius, power, and goodness of their Maker, even as they reflect the curse provoked by the rebellion of their first inhabitants. And while Adam’s children enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and provision of good things, they dwell in deep spiritual darkness, the fruit of their apostasy.\r\n\r\nIn the fullness of time, however, the Light of the World pierced the gloom, taking center stage to rescue the object of His love. Disfigured and disgraced by sin, she was an unseemly and unsightly thing, an object of wrath, with nothing in her appearance, countenance or character to stir the affections of a holy God. Hopeless and helpless, she stood doomed to eternal death under the righteous judgment of her Creator. But that was about to change.\r\n\r\nFrom a fountain of infinite goodness and mercy, overflowing with love for the unlovely, her noble Deliverer came with flesh to be broken and blood to be spilled to rescue His precious bride. He would meet her debt to love and obey her Maker with perfect fidelity, and pay to the full the penalty for her rebellion and adultery. Unlovely she would be made lovely, unworthy she would be made worthy, and naked she would be clothed in a regal gown of the Savior’s righteousness. As His bride she would radiate the beauty of His holiness, acquired for her at infinite cost that she might love and be loved, that she might adore Him who adored her from eternity.\r\n\r\nAs her Beloved left the earthly stage for a time to prepare their heavenly home, He sent the Pledge and Promise of His undying loyalty. The time passed quickly, and precious in His sight was the day her dying died and she arrived safely at her heavenly home. Fashioned and fit by the beauty of her Redeemer’s holiness, she was ready to take the hand of her Beloved. Hope stepped aside as the bride and Groom embraced to enjoy each other forever.\r\n\r\nThe old stage was replaced as the curtains parted to display the new, where holiness and happiness adorn every scene. Gone are the sun, moon and stars by the light of God’s glory. New are the unending encores of a bride and Groom enraptured in their mutual love and beauty. Filled to overflowing forever will be the joy of the bride by the sight and embrace of the infinite excellence of her Savior, Husband, and God.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Made Beautiful: The True Story of Royal and Loyal Love','','inherit','closed','closed','','9418-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:56:27','2023-03-21 10:56:27','',9418,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14882',0,'revision','',0),(14883,1,'2023-03-21 10:56:35','2023-03-21 10:56:35','','the-Glory-of-Reproach-7-28-16-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','the-glory-of-reproach-7-28-16-300w-150x150-2','','','2023-03-21 10:56:35','2023-03-21 10:56:35','',9634,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/the-Glory-of-Reproach-7-28-16-300w-150x150-2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14884,1,'2023-03-21 10:56:44','2023-03-21 10:56:44','In Part One we saw the glory of God displayed in the purpose, character, and results of Christ’s redeeming work. In Christ we see the infinite excellence of God on display in His purchase of unworthy sinners for an eternity of happiness in heaven. We turn now to a brief look at God’s glory in the message and messengers of Christ, the Church.\r\n\r\nGlory in a “Foolish” Message\r\n“For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). Regarded as foolish by those blind to its excellence, the Gospel is, nonetheless, perfect in its glory. To disdain the greatest message, the greatest love and mercy, and the greatest gift, purchased at the cost of infinite suffering for the undeserving, speaks volumes about the nature of unbelief, but impugns nothing of the Gospel.\r\n\r\nConsider the crowds in the Praetorium watching Christ before Pontius Pilate as the Gospel played out before their eyes. Craving the glory of Christ’s power to heal and deliver them from the rule of Rome, they saw no glory as He stood bleeding and humiliated under Rome’s iron fist. Seeking the glory of His strength to realize their earthly interests, they saw no glory in His weakness and suffering to achieve eternal blessings. And in any age where the Gospel is preached and reviled, crowds inwardly cry “crucify” as they adore the crown of gold, but despise the crown of thorns. Thus, we need not be surprised at the world’s response to the Gospel, even as it grieves us, neither should we change the message to suit a world hostile to its excellence.\r\n\r\nGlory in a Weak Messenger\r\nMany contemporaries of the Apostle Paul, especially in Corinth, viewed him as “unimpressive” and his speech as “contemptible” (2 Cor. 10:10). Yet, Paul intentionally avoided “cleverness of speech” and worldly wisdom, resolving “to know nothing” among the Corinthians but “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” In deference to God and the Gospel, he preached “in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.” But why would he not “do as the Corinthians do” among a people that revered great rhetorical skill? In short, he wanted his worldly audience to trust the power of God, not human wisdom as they were so prone to do (1 Cor. 2:1-5). He also did not want to make the Gospel “void” or powerless to change hearts by drawing attention to the messenger and away from the message of the cross of Christ (1 Cor. 1:17). Preachers in every age are most effective when they shine the light on Christ and away from themselves.\r\n\r\nTo ensure a proper humility in Paul following his remarkable visit to the third heaven, God gave him a “thorn in the flesh.” Whatever it was, it bothered Paul enough to ask God three times to take it away. But God said no, adding, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Reconsidering his ailment from God’s perspective, Paul concluded, “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Cor. 12:9 NAS). And God calls us to view our troubles the same way.\r\n\r\nFurther, we miss a critical aspect of a fruitful and joyful Christian life if we think Christianity is all about being healthy, prosperous, and formidable in the eyes of a fallen world. “God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong” that we might boast in Him alone (1 Cor. 1:27-31). Indeed, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Cor. 4:7 NAS). The more we understand this, the more God will use us as part of His purpose to display His glory, and the less perplexing to us will be our difficult circumstances. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation” (1 Pet. 4:12-13 NAS). Suffering is neither a “strange thing” nor outside the purpose and plan of God for His children. God uses it for our good and His glory as He molds us into the image of Christ.\r\n\r\nConsider the experience of the most faithful saints throughout the ages. Can we really say that the early church was not victorious because they were thrown to the lions or lived in the catacombs? God certainly did not view them that way, “For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:36-37 NAS).\r\n\r\nFuture Glory\r\nTherefore, while we wait for our ultimate transformation in heaven, “momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:17-18). We need not confuse the present age with the age to come by the mistaken idea that God does not want us to suffer, or by an incessant boasting of the impending success of the church in numbers and worldly influence prior to Christ’s return—we stand victorious in Christ even when small in number, marginalized, or persecuted. Therefore, we faithfully serve God’s purpose by showcasing His infinite excellence in our weakness and troubles, as we look forward to the glories of our heavenly home: “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2 NAS). We will enjoy Him in perfect glory forever. Amen.\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Finding Glory in Pain and Problems (Part 2 of 2)','','inherit','closed','closed','','9369-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:56:44','2023-03-21 10:56:44','',9369,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14884',0,'revision','',0),(14885,1,'2023-03-21 10:57:41','2023-03-21 10:57:41','','Finding_glory_pain_problems_part1-300w-150x150 (1)','','inherit','open','closed','','finding_glory_pain_problems_part1-300w-150x150-1','','','2023-03-21 10:57:41','2023-03-21 10:57:41','',9320,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Finding_glory_pain_problems_part1-300w-150x150-1-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14886,1,'2023-03-21 10:57:45','2023-03-21 10:57:45','','explaining-miracles-natural-processes-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','explaining-miracles-natural-processes-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:57:45','2023-03-21 10:57:45','',9221,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/explaining-miracles-natural-processes-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14887,1,'2023-03-21 10:57:47','2023-03-21 10:57:47','','spiritual_blindness_twilight_of_West-327w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','spiritual_blindness_twilight_of_west-327w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:57:47','2023-03-21 10:57:47','',9051,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/spiritual_blindness_twilight_of_West-327w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14888,1,'2023-03-21 10:57:50','2023-03-21 10:57:50','','Drops-of-infinite-Love-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','drops-of-infinite-love-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:57:50','2023-03-21 10:57:50','',8728,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Drops-of-infinite-Love-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14889,1,'2023-03-21 10:57:56','2023-03-21 10:57:56','','passing_the_buck-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','passing_the_buck-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 10:57:56','2023-03-21 10:57:56','',8713,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/passing_the_buck-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14890,1,'2023-03-21 10:58:01','2023-03-21 10:58:01','“For you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for <em>God\\\'s</em> own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10 NAS).\r\n\r\nA Brief History of the Church\r\nImagine the task of introducing the history of the Christian church to a group of students that know nothing of Christianity. Perhaps you could begin with ancient Rome and recount the experience of believers burned as torches in Nero’s garden, living in the catacombs, or thrown to the lions in the coliseum. You might survey accounts of Reformation martyrs burned at the stake for the Gospel, or tortured at the hands of the Roman Catholic Inquisition. For contemporary history you could interview survivors of North Korean concentration camps, or visit secret churches in the Middle East where Christians meet under the threat of death, or are butchered by Islamists in Syria and Iraq. You could go to China, where believers can be jailed and even tortured for their faith, or sit in an American university classroom to see what happens when you say that faith in Christ alone is the only way to heaven.\r\n\r\nWhere Is God’s Glory?\r\nIn concluding your lesson, you could ask your students if the brief history fits the status of a people chosen by a God of infinite love and power to be His special children. Admittedly, our small sample of hardships does not represent the experience of every Christian in every age; many believers live relatively peaceful lives. Nonetheless, the history of God’s people raises an important question: Is God’s glory more likely to be found in stadiums filled with people rejoicing in the hope of earthly health, wealth, and prosperity, or in coliseums awaiting the release of the lions? Or put another way, are weakness, trials, and profound suffering consistent with our status in Christ as “a royal priesthood” and “holy nation,” appointed by God to proclaim His excellence?\r\n\r\nThe importance of the question cannot be overstated. The correct answer will deepen and strengthen a right understanding of the Gospel and nurture a faithful, joyful, and God-honoring life in any circumstance. A wrong answer will miss the meaning and purpose of the Gospel, mistake the ways of the world with the ways of God, confuse the present age with the age to come, and lead to disappointment and frustration in the trials of the Christian life.\r\n\r\nTo answer our question, we must first identify that which constitutes the glory or excellence of the One we proclaim, the head of the Church, and then look at how His excellence appears in His body, His chosen and beloved ambassadors. The latter will be examined in Part Two of the series, while we turn now to that which constitutes the greatest display of God’s glory, namely, the purpose, character, and result of Christ’s suffering in redeeming unworthy sinners.\r\n\r\nThe Glory of Christ’s Suffering\r\nTo begin, God is glorified in the <em>purpose</em> of Christ’s suffering. His humiliation and agony in life and death accomplished God’s ultimate purpose to display and communicate the excellence of His perfections. His glory radiates from the infinite love that purchased eternal happiness for the unlovable, and that at infinite cost to Himself. The beauty of His righteousness appears in His unwillingness to save a single soul without the perfect satisfaction of His holy justice, including the perfect love, honor, and obedience owed to Him by those He created, and payment of the penalty for our sin. God’s power shines in the defeat of death and the Devil, in the wisdom that saved the unsavable, and in the goodness, mercy, and grace that sent the One who freely volunteered to be our substitute and purchase our eternal happiness.\r\n\r\nSecond, God is glorified in the <em>character</em> of Christ’s suffering. In His temptation in the wilderness, in His earthly poverty, as treated as a common criminal, in His composure before Pilate as He endured the humiliation of spitting, lashing, the mocking of ignorant soldiers, and the taunts of an evil crowd, such that Pilate was amazed. And greater still, in the face of immeasurable agony He would experience in bearing the infinite wrath of the Father on our behalf, He resolved to drink the bitter cup to the full that we might drink from the chalice of His eternal happiness.\r\n\r\nAnd third, God is glorified by the <em>results</em> of Christ’s suffering. Covered in His righteousness, we appear as trophies of God’s grace and excellence when the life of Christ shines in and through us. And when we join Christ at the right hand of the Father as the reward for the infinite merit of His perfect life and death, our presence and praise in heaven will forever speak of God’s infinite excellence. But until that great day, we “tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised” (Psalm 96:3-4 NAS). Amen.\r\n\r\nIn Part Two, we will examine the glory of God as displayed in the church.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Finding Glory in Pain and Problems (Part 1 of 2)','','inherit','closed','closed','','9320-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:58:01','2023-03-21 10:58:01','',9320,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14890',0,'revision','',0),(14891,1,'2023-03-21 10:58:08','2023-03-21 10:58:08','Why do people deny or explain away the miracles recorded in Scripture? Unbelievers naturally reject them from hostility toward God and Scripture. Yet, more puzzling is why professing Christians that believe in the infinite power of God would propose “natural” explanations that appear contrary to the purpose of miracles to display God’s power and rule over the universe.\r\n\r\nA Sample\r\nNatural explanations for biblical miracles include the Nile turning to “blood” by red soil erosion or an algae bloom, or the parting of the Red Sea by strong wind on two inches of water, or darkness in Egypt and at the crucifixion of Christ by an eclipse of the sun, etc. Yet the best of such explanations leave serious problems, including the exact timing of the algae bloom or soil erosion, not to mention the blood in pools, reservoirs and drinking vessels throughout Egypt; the drowning of the entire Egyptian army in two inches of water, a solar eclipse producing the extended and complete blackout in Egypt that stopped at the border of Goshen where the Jews lived, or darkness lasting three hours while Christ hung on the cross. Many more examples with similar problems could be given. But beyond the obvious difficulties as noted above, attempts to show natural causes for biblical miracles involve at least three greater problems.\r\n\r\nDiminishing God\r\nFirst, “natural” explanations of biblical miracles follow wrong views of God, or a lack of understanding or denial of the implications of His infinite power as the creator and sustainer of the universe. Why would anyone that affirms the divine authority of Scripture find it difficult to accept that a God of infinite power can arrange any aspect of His universe when, where, and how He pleases? Scripture clearly teaches that God is not limited by what He made and sustains: “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14 NAS). “Ah Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee” (Jeremiah 32:17 NAS). If we truly believe God’s testimony about His power, why would we question God’s account of His works in history? Why would we have a problem with the sun standing still, Jonah in a whale, or any other miracle in Scripture?\r\n\r\nExalting Speculation and Human Opinion\r\nSecond, imposing extra-biblical speculation onto Scripture elevates human imagination and opinion above the testimony of God, thereby repeating the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden. How can people that could never know the proper explanation of God and reality apart from God’s revelation declare how God can and cannot operate in history, or contradict what He has clearly told us? Or, what gives created and dependent people the authority to pick and choose what to accept in Scripture as historical and what to explain away, including events confirmed to be historical by Christ and the Apostles? God gave us no such authority, and no authority higher than Scripture exists to which we can appeal.\r\n\r\nMaking Light Acceptable to Darkness\r\nThird, explaining biblical miracles by “natural” processes makes belief in Scripture more acceptable to people who deny the existence of God and the possibility of miracles. And while the world and the order of its operation are impossible without God, unbelievers claiming a universe built on random chance could never know how it always operates everywhere and at any time. Moreover, knowledge of every possible fact in the universe and beyond would be necessary for anyone to know that God does not exist or that His power is limited by what He created. We are far too limited to know such things.\r\n\r\nA Better Way\r\nWhy, then, do professing believers resort to creative explanations of miracles when creation and Scripture clearly testify to God’s infinite power? Why must we believe the Red Sea was only two inches deep? Perhaps we would do better to point out that an infinitely powerful God can do anything, that Jonah in a whale is easy compared to creating and continuously sustaining everything in the universe. And, if we fear being called ignorant by those who “suppress the truth in unrighteousness,” who view the infinite excellence of the Gospel as “foolish,” we are not to join them by claiming a limited God. Rather, we affirm that a God who can create and sustain a universe by His infinite power can easily do miracles. Besides, limited people that lack the ability to know what exists beyond the three or four dimensions of reality also lack the ability to deny the existence and infinite power of God to do miracles. On the contrary, every aspect of the universe displays God’s infinite power and genius. Therefore, instead of reducing God to make Him acceptable to unbelief, we proclaim a God whose ways are as high above us as the heavens are above the earth (Isaiah 55:9).\r\n\r\nCount the Cost\r\nIf we tell it like it is, unbelievers may call us names and treat us badly. But, faithfulness to Christ comes with a price, and we have no right to alter or explain away what God has given us to know, preach, and teach. People need the truth, but we do them a great disservice when we resort to explaining away God’s clear revelation to avoid their reproach. May God help us be faithful, to the honor of His great name and for the eternal good of people in need of Christ.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Big Problems with Explaining Miracles by “Natural” Processes','','inherit','closed','closed','','9221-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:58:08','2023-03-21 10:58:08','',9221,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14891',0,'revision','',0),(14892,1,'2023-03-21 10:58:15','2023-03-21 10:58:15','<em>The following is an excerpt from an ongoing conversation with a close Jewish friend of mine who is exceptionally brilliant in his analysis of Western Civilization, including the inexplicable foolishness of its leaders to welcome, embrace, and even promote the very forces that would destroy them. Like many, however, he struggles to find a rational explanation for the “madness.”</em>\r\n\r\nIrrational Disconnect\r\nSpiritual blindness is a disconnect from reality, a kind of insanity. In his treatise, <em>Original Sin</em>, Jonathan Edwards demonstrates that people are generally rational in preparing for their future, such as going to school, planting crops, or saving money, etc., but become quite irrational about preparing for eternity. The lack of attention given to our ultimate and eternal fate stands in stark contrast to its importance and inevitability. Imagine the popularity of the NFL replacing scantily clad dancers at half-time with a Bible study on the importance of our eternal destiny and the necessity to be right with God. At the rehab and nursing facility where I minister, many on the edge of eternity prefer a poker game, TV, or barren wall to hearing how to go to heaven or be forgiven of sin, etc. For much of the world, and increasingly in the West, the fact that the Creator of the universe paid an infinite price to purchase our eternal happiness, and that at infinite cost to Himself, means nothing. Yet, how do the few years of our earthly life compare to eternity?\r\n\r\nA Bad Trade\r\nThis same blindness influences politics, public policy, views of religion, <em>et al</em>. God judges wayward people and nations when He reduces or withdraws His various restraints on human depravity and gives people what they want. And what do people and nations in rebellion against their Creator ultimately want? Liberation from God’s “tyranny” and the pursuit of personal preferences over God’s good and perfect will: “The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed: ‘Let us tear their fetters apart, and cast away their cords from us!’\\\" (Psalm 2:2-3 NAS). In a tragic irony, they jettison the life-giving and benevolent rule of the One who willingly suffered infinite wrath to pay the penalty for sin and purchase infinite and eternal happiness for enemies, for the rule of self-absorbed and power-hungry tyrants. Not a good trade. “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever” (Romans 1:25 NAS). Having cut the cord to their spiritual, intellectual, and moral anchor, they are prone to deception and powerless to resist the evil forces that promote the policies and narratives designed to destroy them. Apart from God’s grace, the evil tide will sweep them away, as displayed by the ease and speed by which ungodly and unscientific views dominating the media and academics manipulate and influence the culture at-large.\r\n\r\nThe Eternal Versus the Temporary and Trivial\r\nIn light of the brevity of our earthly life and our unending existence in the hereafter, all issues are ultimately spiritual and reduce to our relationship with our Creator. We may comfort ourselves with talk of “leaving a legacy,” or “immortality” through our accomplishments, influence, progeny, etc., but none of this means anything if we spend eternity under God’s righteous judgment. Christ put it this way, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).\r\n\r\nGod gives all things ultimate meaning and purpose, while the world prefers trivialities and the godless life described by Solomon: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all <em>is</em> vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3). Apart from God, everything reduces to “sound and fury signifying nothing.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#footnote1\\&quot;\">[1]</a> Yet, spiritual and willful blindness cries, “give me nothing!” Too bad such folly does not remain at home; it occupies the highest echelons of power and influence, inflicting its terrible fruit on everyone else. And in more irony, its victims prefer it to the goodness of God.\r\n\r\nLife and Light in the Lamb\r\nIn the end, people get what they want and deserve, while those made right with God by the saving work of Christ are spared the just deserts for their sin because He bore the penalty of their rebellion on the cross. He completed what the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple ceremonies and sacrifices foreshadowed; or, as John the Baptist said at his first sight of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Monumental, amazing, infinitely kind and gracious, and the world can’t stand the sound of His name. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11). But, “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, <em>even</em> to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). The answer to spiritual blindness is new life through faith in Jesus the Messiah, in whom we gain (among many other important things) understanding of God’s explanation of Himself and reality as revealed in Scripture, a proper view of this life relative to eternity, and insight into the nature of the evil that would seek to destroy us.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[1] William Shakespeare, Macbeth. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, accessed February 11, 2014, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"//shakespeare.mit.edu/macbeth/macbeth.5.5.html\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">http://shakespeare.mit.edu/macbeth/macbeth.5.5.html</a>; Act 5, Scene 5.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Spiritual Blindness and the Twilight of the West','','inherit','closed','closed','','9051-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:58:15','2023-03-21 10:58:15','',9051,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14892',0,'revision','',0),(14893,1,'2023-03-21 10:58:22','2023-03-21 10:58:22','“And being in agony he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44). When we think of the greatest temptation of Christ we might think of His forty days without food in the wilderness, culminating in the Devil’s appeal to Christ at His weakest points as a man. So difficult was the temptation that angels came to minister to Jesus at its conclusion. Yet, despite the harsh circumstances in the wilderness, His trial in the Garden of Gethsemane put Him to His most severe test. So challenging was His experience that He pleaded with the Father to deliver Him from the terms He accepted in eternity past when the persons of the Trinity agreed on how He would purchase His bride from sinful humanity. In the depth of His torment, Christ prayed that God the Father would remove the bitter cup He was about to drink if the purchase of His bride could be accomplished any other way. What, then, was the essence of Christ’s temptation in the Garden, and what did He encounter that produced such horrible anguish?\n\nThe Longest Day\nHaving voluntarily agreed to undertake His role as substitute, mediator, and sacrifice for the salvation of sinners, Christ was hours away from completing His earthly ministry. Resolute in His purpose to display God’s infinite excellence by saving the infinitely unworthy, Christ struggled with the weight of what He was about to endure. The last day of His three-and-a-half-year earthly ministry would be the longest and most terrible, while His temptation in the garden would prove to be the most difficult.\n\nA Clear View\nAs eternal God, Christ fully understood what He volunteered to do when He accepted the plan of redemption in eternity past. From the overflow of His boundless love He resolved to satisfy the requirements of God’s justice with full knowledge of what He would suffer to purchase His bride a gown of righteousness. As a man, the concentrated weight of what He would suffer was brought to bear on His understanding with full force as He contemplated the cost.\n\nInfinite Humiliation\nThe infinitely honorable Son of God and Man was about to be humiliated in one of the most hideous ways known to mankind, a fate so cruel that Romans spared their own citizens its indignity. He would be dishonored before His own chosen people, before those He created, who lived and enjoyed His countless blessings by His grace alone. The humiliation of infinite glory and dignity exceeds our ability to fully comprehend, but Christ understood it perfectly.\n\nPhysical Suffering\nAdditionally, the physical torture would be excruciating. Roman solders knew their craft well, and Christ knew that He would suffer the full extent of their sadistic skill. The humanity of Christ recoiled in horror at the thought.\n\nInfinite Wrath\nNonetheless, as terrible as the humiliation and physical torture of Christ would be, it did not compare to bearing on His own person the full weight of God’s anger for the sins of the world. The God-man was given a full and undiluted view of the penalty owed to the One who created the universe and cursed it for a single sin. He would suffer the fury of God’s righteous and boundless power, whose honor and goodness were insulted and spurned to an infinite degree, while eternity in hell is the appropriate and just deserts for such an offense. The full weight of punishment for countless sins of countless sinners would fall on Christ. The clear view of drinking this bottomless cup of suffering to the full produced in Christ His agony in the garden, while His desire to avoid the terrible wrath of the One with whom He shared perfect and eternal love for all of eternity (if sinners could be saved any other way), constituted His greatest temptation.\n\nInfinite Love\nGod’s answer to Christ’s prayer affirmed the intent of the eternal plan of redemption: love and justice must meet at the cross. The Savior of His beloved must past through the fire to bring her to His eternal abode in heaven. Thus, “for the joy set before Him [He] endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2 NAS). His descent into the fiery furnace of infinite wrath purchased for us infinite happiness in His presence forever. For the unbeliever, indifference to such an immeasurable gift is pure contempt. For the believer, however, the great drops of agony from the brow of our Savior flow as tokens of His infinite love for His bride.\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\n<div>\n\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\n\n</div>\n<!--end table-text cell-->\n\n</div>\n<!--end modal window-->','Drops of Infinite Love','','inherit','closed','closed','','8728-autosave-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:58:22','2023-03-21 10:58:22','',8728,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14893',0,'revision','',0),(14894,1,'2023-03-21 10:58:25','2023-03-21 10:58:25','“And being in agony he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44). When we think of the greatest temptation of Christ we might think of His forty days without food in the wilderness, culminating in the Devil’s appeal to Christ at His weakest points as a man. So difficult was the temptation that angels came to minister to Jesus at its conclusion. Yet, despite the harsh circumstances in the wilderness, His trial in the Garden of Gethsemane put Him to His most severe test. So challenging was His experience that He pleaded with the Father to deliver Him from the terms He accepted in eternity past when the persons of the Trinity agreed on how He would purchase His bride from sinful humanity. In the depth of His torment, Christ prayed that God the Father would remove the bitter cup He was about to drink if the purchase of His bride could be accomplished any other way. What, then, was the essence of Christ’s temptation in the Garden, and what did He encounter that produced such horrible anguish?\r\n\r\nThe Longest Day\r\nHaving voluntarily agreed to undertake His role as substitute, mediator, and sacrifice for the salvation of sinners, Christ was hours away from completing His earthly ministry. Resolute in His purpose to display God’s infinite excellence by saving the infinitely unworthy, Christ struggled with the weight of what He was about to endure. The last day of His three-and-a-half-year earthly ministry would be the longest and most terrible, while His temptation in the garden would prove to be the most difficult.\r\n\r\nA Clear View\r\nAs eternal God, Christ fully understood what He volunteered to do when He accepted the plan of redemption in eternity past. From the overflow of His boundless love He resolved to satisfy the requirements of God’s justice with full knowledge of what He would suffer to purchase His bride a gown of righteousness. As a man, the concentrated weight of what He would suffer was brought to bear on His understanding with full force as He contemplated the cost.\r\n\r\nInfinite Humiliation\r\nThe infinitely honorable Son of God and Man was about to be humiliated in one of the most hideous ways known to mankind, a fate so cruel that Romans spared their own citizens its indignity. He would be dishonored before His own chosen people, before those He created, who lived and enjoyed His countless blessings by His grace alone. The humiliation of infinite glory and dignity exceeds our ability to fully comprehend, but Christ understood it perfectly.\r\n\r\nPhysical Suffering\r\nAdditionally, the physical torture would be excruciating. Roman solders knew their craft well, and Christ knew that He would suffer the full extent of their sadistic skill. The humanity of Christ recoiled in horror at the thought.\r\n\r\nInfinite Wrath\r\nNonetheless, as terrible as the humiliation and physical torture of Christ would be, it did not compare to bearing on His own person the full weight of God’s anger for the sins of the world. The God-man was given a full and undiluted view of the penalty owed to the One who created the universe and cursed it for a single sin. He would suffer the fury of God’s righteous and boundless power, whose honor and goodness were insulted and spurned to an infinite degree, while eternity in hell is the appropriate and just deserts for such an offense. The full weight of punishment for countless sins of countless sinners would fall on Christ. The clear view of drinking this bottomless cup of suffering to the full produced in Christ His agony in the garden, while His desire to avoid the terrible wrath of the One with whom He shared perfect and eternal love for all of eternity (if sinners could be saved any other way), constituted His greatest temptation.\r\n\r\nInfinite Love\r\nGod’s answer to Christ’s prayer affirmed the intent of the eternal plan of redemption: love and justice must meet at the cross. The Savior of His beloved must past through the fire to bring her to His eternal abode in heaven. Thus, “for the joy set before Him [He] endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2 NAS). His descent into the fiery furnace of infinite wrath purchased for us infinite happiness in His presence forever. For the unbeliever, indifference to such an immeasurable gift is pure contempt. For the believer, however, the great drops of agony from the brow of our Savior flow as tokens of His infinite love for His bride.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Drops of Infinite Love','','inherit','closed','closed','','8728-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:58:25','2023-03-21 10:58:25','',8728,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14894',0,'revision','',0),(14895,1,'2023-03-21 10:58:31','2023-03-21 10:58:31','“That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one might say, ‘See this, it is new’? Already it has existed for ages which were before us” (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 NAS). And so it is with the tendency of the fallen heart to try and escape responsibility for its actions.\r\n\r\nBlame Sown in the Garden\r\nHaving been warned by God to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve chose to place the word of the serpent over the word and will of their benevolent Creator and plunged themselves and the human race into ruin. And having died spiritually, Adam and Eve were alienated from God as their benevolent Father became their Judge. “‘Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’ And the man said, ‘The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.’ Then the LORD God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ And the woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate’” (Genesis 3:11-13 NAS). Everyone, it seems, was guilty except those who actually committed the crime. But notice the reply of Adam, “The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” It appears that Adam laid the guilt of his sin at the feet of God.\r\n\r\nLike Father Like Son\r\nThe essential nature of every sin can be found in the first sin in the garden, including the exaltation of our own personal preference and authority over God’s will and authority, and the impugning of God for the results of our own choices. In Adam’s response we see a template for fallen people to absolve themselves of responsibility for the problems of the world and a justification for unbelief. When we pass the buck, it doesn’t always stop with our spouse, neighbor, co-worker, or every tyrant in the history of mankind; it usually finds its way to God.\r\n\r\nUnderstanding this most fundamental aspect of our fallen nature is critical for a proper understanding of our own heart. Moreover, it gives us great insight into the nature of unbelief and many of the arguments used by unbelievers that impugn the nature of God in order to justify rejecting His authority and existence. Indeed, “there is nothing new under the sun.”\r\n\r\nFreedom from Restraint and Responsibility\r\nProverbs puts it this way, “The foolishness of man subverts his way, and his heart rages against the LORD” (19:3 NAS). One of the many contradictions of unbelief involves the affirmation of freedom to pursue personal desires, even while blaming God for the trouble it brings. The well-known use of the “problem of evil” argument is a case in point. Somehow, as the claim goes, it is impossible for a God of infinite power and perfect holiness to exist in a universe that includes the consequences of the free choices of created beings (i.e., Lucifer, Adam, and Eve). So, in the convenient but confusing world of rebels passing the buck, God either gets the blame or is defined out of existence because of the troubles we have produced. The former mimics Adam blaming God for giving him Eve, while the latter imitates the attempt of both Adam and Eve to hide from God and escape accountability and judgment for their sin. Neither was successful in the Garden, and neither will be successful for anyone attempting to escape the consequences of their sin before God apart from Christ.\r\n\r\nResponsibility and Holy Sovereignty\r\nThe existence of evil in a world created by a perfect God is not without its mysteries. But, as created, finite, and dependent upon God for all things, including knowledge of Him and his universe, we will always be confronted with great mysteries before an infinite God. He has told us all we need to know, but He had not told us everything. After all, if we knew everything and could solve every mystery we would be God. At the same time, God has clearly revealed to us that He hates moral evil and can never be its cause, that he tempts no one to sin, and that we are fully responsible and blameworthy for our own evil actions. Behind every denial of the God of Scripture lurk not only a desire for independence from God and an exalting of personal preference over the authority and will of God, but also a denial of responsibility for our sin and our desert of God’s judgment for it.\r\n\r\nEmbracing the Buck in Christ\r\nAs believers, we need not pass the buck or attempt to hide from the all-knowing eyes of God. Not only is it an exercise in futility, the penalty for our sin has been paid in full and we are blessed when we acknowledge our sin before God (1 John 1:9). Indeed, the all-knowing and righteous Judge of the earth has become our advocate, “Who will bring a charge against God\\\'s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us” (Romans 8:33-34 NAS). When we come to Christ in saving faith, our repentance involves an admission of our sin before God. And as redeemed in Christ, we grow in grace and experience the comfort of God as we acknowledge our sin and bask in the love and forgiveness that is ours in Christ, a comfort we deny ourselves when we pass the buck.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Passing the Buck','','inherit','closed','closed','','8713-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 10:58:31','2023-03-21 10:58:31','',8713,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14895',0,'revision','',0),(14896,1,'2023-03-21 11:07:35','2023-03-21 11:07:35','','jacob_goes_to_school-email-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','jacob_goes_to_school-email-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:07:35','2023-03-21 11:07:35','',8665,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jacob_goes_to_school-email-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14897,1,'2023-03-21 11:07:35','2023-03-21 11:07:35','','Blind-Faith-of-Atheism-Part-4of4-women-dark-hair-blindfold-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','blind-faith-of-atheism-part-4of4-women-dark-hair-blindfold-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:07:35','2023-03-21 11:07:35','',8507,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Blind-Faith-of-Atheism-Part-4of4-women-dark-hair-blindfold-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14898,1,'2023-03-21 11:07:40','2023-03-21 11:07:40','','Blind-Faith-of-Atheism-Part-3of4-women-dark-hair-blindfold-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','blind-faith-of-atheism-part-3of4-women-dark-hair-blindfold-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:07:40','2023-03-21 11:07:40','',8437,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Blind-Faith-of-Atheism-Part-3of4-women-dark-hair-blindfold-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14899,1,'2023-03-21 11:07:41','2023-03-21 11:07:41','','gods-conditional-unconditional-love-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','gods-conditional-unconditional-love-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:07:41','2023-03-21 11:07:41','',8649,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/gods-conditional-unconditional-love-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14900,1,'2023-03-21 11:07:44','2023-03-21 11:07:44','','Blind-Faith-of-Atheism-Part-2of4-women-dark-hair-blindfold-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','blind-faith-of-atheism-part-2of4-women-dark-hair-blindfold-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:07:44','2023-03-21 11:07:44','',8376,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Blind-Faith-of-Atheism-Part-2of4-women-dark-hair-blindfold-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14901,1,'2023-03-21 11:07:47','2023-03-21 11:07:47','Having stolen the blessing of Esau by deceiving his father Isaac, Jacob quickly left his home and family to avoid the retribution of his brother. On his way to Haran, he had a dream in which God reaffirmed to him the promises made to Abraham, including a land, descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth, and blessing to “all the families of the earth” through him and his descendants.\r\n\r\nThe Vow\r\nFearful but excited by his encounter with God, he set up and anointed a stone pillar and made a vow to God, saying, \\\"If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and will give me food to eat and garments to wear, and I return to my father\\\'s house in safety, then the LORD will be my God. And this stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God\\\'s house; and of all that Thou dost give me I will surely give a tenth to Thee\\\" (Genesis 28:20-22 NAS). Jacob was young and clever, and had managed to appropriate both Esau’s birthright and blessing. And judging by the content of his vow to God, he was not yet ready to be the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. His attempt to strike a deal with God reflected a heart in need of a proper perspective and attitude before his Creator, to whom he owed all things, and apart from whom he would have nothing.\r\n\r\nA Taste of His Own Medicine\r\nJacob’s schooling began in earnest as he fled from Esau, and the lessons would be difficult and long. He met his match in his first teacher, Laban, the father of Rachel and Leah. Upon completing his seven years of work for the privilege of marrying Rachel, Laban deceived Jacob and gave him the less attractive Leah under the cover of darkness. Rachel would still become his wife, but at the cost of another seven years of service to Laban. Nonetheless, God was with Jacob on account of His promises, and Jacob eventually left the service of Laban with a large family and great riches.\r\n\r\nA Better Prayer\r\nTwenty year after his flight from home, Jacob’s attitude toward God appears to have matured. Fearful and “greatly distressed” at the news that Esau was about to meet him with 400 men, an omen of the retribution he once escaped coming upon him at last, Jacob no longer sought to make a deal with God. His prayer to God for deliverance from Esau included these words,\r\n<blockquote>O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who didst say to me, \\\'Return to your country and to your relatives, and I will prosper you,\\\' I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which Thou hast shown to Thy servant; for with my staff only I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau (Genesis 32:9-11 NAS).</blockquote>\r\nAppealing to God’s lovingkindness, faithfulness, and promises, he confessed that he was unworthy of God’s blessings. Gone was the “you’ll be my God if you bless and protect me” attitude of His earlier prayer and vow. Time and trouble, in addition to recalling the gracious promises of God, produced a greater maturity and humility in Jacob in his approach to his Creator.\r\n\r\nMore Medicine\r\nNonetheless, Jacob’s schooling continued. He would again fear for his life after the murderous response of his sons to Shechem’s rape of his daughter, Dinah, and he would feel deeply the terrible pain of his sons’ deceitful report of Joseph’s death. In many respects, Jacob reaped what he had sown. Yet, through it all, God remained faithful to his promises and upheld and blessed Jacob. In the end, He brought Jacob and his family to Egypt for the happy reunion with his son Joseph, preserving the lineage and nation through whom God would display His glory, and through whom all of the nations of the world would be blessed through the Messiah.\r\n\r\nLessons for Us\r\nThe life of Jacob teaches us many things about the providence and faithfulness of God, including how He executes His perfect plans through less-than-perfect people. And while we may know little of the specific ways our present troubles will bring greater usefulness and the accomplishment of God’s purpose for us and others, we know that He works all things for our good and His glory. We grow in grace and wisdom when we forsake our bargains with God and come to Him as unworthy of His blessings, even as we boldly approach His throne of grace as redeemed, cleansed, and adopted into His family by the saving work of Christ. Our graduation day is coming, but not without a great many lessons. May we grow in faithfulness and fruitfulness, by His grace, until the arrival of that marvelous day.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Jacob Goes to School','','inherit','closed','closed','','8665-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:07:47','2023-03-21 11:07:47','',8665,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14901',0,'revision','',0),(14902,1,'2023-03-21 11:07:57','2023-03-21 11:07:57','Believers in Christ relish the thought of God’s unconditional love as the basis of our salvation. Indeed, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son” speaks of a love undeserved and founded on God’s character alone. Christ died for “sinners” and “enemies” (Romans 5:8, 10), for people “hostile” to God (Colossians 1:21), for those who seek for anything but God (Romans 3:11). His mercy does not give us what we deserve and His grace gives us what we do not deserve. And so we sing “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” God set His love on the unlovable.\r\n\r\nGod’s Love of Loveliness\r\nGod’s love to His people is also conditional, based on our loveliness. At first glance, a love that depends on something in us might appear contrary to God’ unconditional love toward the fallen and undeserving, but it actually stands beside it as the ultimate purpose and result of God’s unconditional love. For God so loved the unlovable to make them lovable. Through the saving work of Christ in fulfilling the perfect obedience required by God’s justice, and through His paying the infinite debt of our sin owed to His justice, Christ purchased for us His perfect righteousness, a righteousness imputed to us as we are united to Him through saving faith. And that righteousness constitutes the beauty of His saints: “He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10 NAS).\r\n\r\nConditional Love in Heaven\r\nWhen God’s saving purpose of saving unworthy sinners is fully consummated in the new heavens and new earth, God will love us as lovely and loveable. His love to the saints will not be the unconditional love He exercised toward His fallen enemies, or a love of people despite their ungodliness. God’s love to His redeemed in heaven will rest on the beauty of saints covered in the righteousness of Christ. So, “when we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,” we will forever reflect the beauty of God’s perfect holiness as it shines in and through us. Our loveliness in heaven will consist of the beauty of God’s perfect holiness given to us unconditionally, our permanent possession in Christ. God will forever delight in the excellence of our beauty as He delights in the excellence of the beauty of the Son that covers us and is in us, purchased by our Savior’s sinless life and death on the cross as our substitute.\r\n\r\nBeauty and the Bride\r\nThe heart of the Gospel includes both the unconditional and conditional love of God, the former rooted in the perfect character of God alone, and the latter founded upon our beauty as covered in the righteousness of Christ. God set His love on the lost to secure a bride for His Son, and set out to accomplish His purpose by making the bride suitable for the bridegroom, covering her in the beauty of holiness that she might dwell with Him forever.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','God’s Conditional and Unconditional Love','','inherit','closed','closed','','8649-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:07:57','2023-03-21 11:07:57','',8649,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14902',0,'revision','',0),(14903,1,'2023-03-21 11:08:05','2023-03-21 11:08:05','In the earlier discussion of “faith versus miracles” I briefly mentioned the problem of denying miracles based on the uniform laws of “nature” when a world founded on random chance gives no basis for such laws. Order can only exist because God designed, created, and sustains the universe. This poses a great problem for atheists because the basis by which they deny miracles is only possible because God exists, a contradiction to their claim. In other words, “the universe is founded on random chance,” but that which is contrary to random chance (i.e., uniform laws of “nature”) proves that biblical miracles are impossible. In this convenient sleight of hand, they deny their worldview to affirm it, or affirm God’s existence to deny it.\r\n\r\nImagine a Random Chance Universe\r\nFor the sake of argument, let’s assume the hypothetical world of the atheist, that all matter and energy came from nothing or have always existed, and that all things in this universe are founded upon and operate according to random chance. Now consider a few problems with such a universe.\r\n\r\nNo Purpose and Meaning\r\nFirst, how can one random chance occurrence without meaning or purpose ascribe meaning or purpose to other random chance occurrences? Picture a universe where the nature, existence, and number of things continually change, where they randomly appear and disappear, where nothing can be predicted and anything can happen at any time, while nothing is related to anything else. Can purpose and meaning exist in such a universe? “If God exists and we are made in His image we can have real meaning,” but if not, all is absurd and meaningless.[1]\r\n\r\nNo Interpretation\r\nSecond, how can a random chance occurrence interpret another random chance occurrence if the subject, object, and everything else continually changes, and nothing exists in the same form or relationship to anything else? How can flux interpret flux? All meaningful interpretation would be impossible in such a universe.\r\n\r\nNo Language\r\nThird, how could anything be described with language? Words label things that have constant and knowable characteristics. But, how can a word refer to something that has no continuing trait or existence from one moment to the next? For example, consider a pet cat.\r\n<blockquote>We can use language to describe a cat because it has certain common characteristics that people agree describe a cat. When someone says “cat” we think of a low-to-the-ground furry thing that purrs, takes great delight in ripping up perfectly good carpets, and excitedly runs about the house making an odd kind of celebratory howling noise after using the cat box (it’s the oddest thing). But, to what would the term “cat” refer if everything randomly changes continually?[2]</blockquote>\r\nNo word could apply to anything if nothing remains the same from one moment to the next. Language is impossible when words have no fixed and specific meaning.\r\n\r\nNo Truth and Knowledge\r\nFourth, truth and knowledge also require continuity of meaning and existence, for nothing could be true or known to be true of anything if all things continuously and unpredictably change. Truth and knowledge would be impossible in a universe founded upon and operating according to random chance.\r\n\r\nNo Thought\r\nFifth, thought would be impossible. And even if we assume a designed and organized brain, along with all of the designed and organized systems to support it, thought requires the distinct ordering and continuity of language and knowledge, each of which are impossible in a random chance universe.\r\n\r\nGod Exists\r\nAtheists may object to this line of reasoning by pointing out that our universe has little or no resemblance to the hypothetical universe described here. And they would be correct, but only because God exists. Things have continuity of existence and operate according to uniform laws because God designed, created, and upholds all things. The universe, as we know it, is quite impossible apart from the genius and power of God and cannot reasonably be explained by random chance.\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nIn the end, atheists rest their claims on untrustworthy and unjustified blind faith in personal opinion, trust in a presumed ability to know what cannot be known apart from God’s revelation, and belief in an impossible explanation of the source and nature of the universe. Created and dependent on God for everything, we could never know God or the ultimate source and nature of all things if He did not reveal Himself and explain to us how and why we are here. And so we thank Him for a faith that stands on His Word to us, Scripture, and agrees with all that we know about His world. We praise Him for removing our hostility toward the obvious testimony of created reality to His power and genius, and for giving us a heart to see and love the excellence of Christ as Savior. Through Christ alone we have forgiveness of sin, eternal life, and eyes to see His universe correctly.\r\n\r\n[1] Francis A. Schaeffer, <em>The God Who Is There</em> in Francis A. Schaeffer Trilogy (Wheaton: Crossway, 1990; Originally published by IVP, 1968), 76.\r\n\r\n[1] Craig Biehl, <em>God the Reason: How Infinite Excellence Gives Unbreakable Faith</em> (Nashville: Carpenter’s Son Publishing, 2015), 35.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Blind Faith of Atheism (Part 4 of 4) - Chaos and Order','','inherit','closed','closed','','8507-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:08:05','2023-03-21 11:08:05','',8507,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14903',0,'revision','',0),(14904,1,'2023-03-21 11:08:14','2023-03-21 11:08:14','How should believers respond to claims that certain doctrines taught in Scripture are illogical, such as the Trinity? Or, given the existence of evil, logic proves a good and all-powerful God cannot exist because an infinitely powerful God could and would prevent evil (the “problem of evil”)? Atheists and Christians agree that logic guides right thinking, and both use logic to formulate and test truth claims. But, does the common appeal to rules of logic exempt the atheist from the problem of human limitations as discussed in parts one and two of our four part series?\r\n\r\nMore Unfounded Faith\r\nHere, again, we see in the atheist the same unfounded faith in human opinion and the ability to know what cannot be known. For instance, God is infinitely beyond our human limitations and can only be known as He chooses to make Himself known, and He has revealed Himself as a Trinity. From our limited human perspective, then, how can we know otherwise? If we deny God’s existence because we cannot logically reconcile God as three persons and one God, we assume that only those things we can fully understand can be true of God. But does our inability to fully comprehend an infinite God mean He cannot exist as He has revealed Himself to be? To deny His existence or nature because we cannot entirely grasp what He has revealed about Himself constitutes faith in our limited understanding as the ultimate standard of truth and makes our limited perspective the ultimate standard of what can and cannot be true of an infinite God. But how can anyone know the nature of an infinite God apart from what He has revealed about Himself? How can one who does not know the contents of his neighbor’s garage know that God cannot be a Trinity? Here again, atheists suffer from the same human limitations as the rest of us when it comes to knowing ultimate realities, including the ultimate reality of an infinite and Triune God.\r\n\r\nThe Problem of Evil\r\nThe same problem confronts the appeal to the problem of evil to deny God’s existence. The inability to comprehend why a God of perfect goodness and power allowed evil into His universe reveals the limits of human knowledge, but has no effect on the possibility of God’s existence. God has revealed much about the nature and existence of evil as it entered the universe by the will of free creatures. But mysteries remain, and the limited perspective and speculation of people cannot be the ultimate standard of what a God that transcends the world He created can be or do. In any event, the premise, “a good God will always prevent evil,” cannot be validated (and we know from Scripture and history that it is false). Things that appear impossible from our limited vantage point may be possible, nonetheless. And while sufficient to know and love Him personally, our knowledge reduces to next to nothing in the face of His infinity.\r\n\r\nUseful Logic in Limited Hands\r\nLogic is a valuable and indispensable gift from God to help us order our thinking and knowledge of Him and His universe. And because God is perfectly logical, no contradictions exist in Him. Yet, as used by limited and fallible people, logic alone cannot be the ultimate standard of truth regarding our infinite God—that honor belongs to God’s revelation. We depend on God telling us what He is like, and He has done so in Scripture. We can know Him truly as He has chosen to reveal Himself, but if we could fully understand Him we would be God. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). That we are unable to fully understand an infinite God is quite logical. To deny the existence of God because our limited understanding cannot fathom certain mysteries or truths He has revealed about Himself assumes our own limited understanding to be the ultimate standard of truth, an irrational and illogical assumption. God alone is the ultimate standard of truth.\r\n\r\nTherefore, the same unfounded faith in human opinion and presumed ability to know what cannot be known underlying arguments against biblical miracles also underlie denials of God based on difficulties reconciling biblical truths according to our limited use of logic. People lack the perspective, knowledge, and ability to rightly deny the existence of an infinite God, regardless of the criteria they use.\r\n<blockquote>For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.\\\' Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe\\\" (1 Corinthians 1:19-21 NAS).</blockquote>\r\nAnd while we can never fully understand everything about our infinite God, He has graciously revealed to us all we need to know to love and trust Him. Indeed, to trust His perfect power and character in the face of great mystery is the logical thing to do.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Blind Faith of Atheism (Part 3 of 4) - Logical Problems?','','inherit','closed','closed','','8437-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:08:14','2023-03-21 11:08:14','',8437,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14904',0,'revision','',0),(14905,1,'2023-03-21 11:08:20','2023-03-21 11:08:20','In the previous article we observed how atheists have great faith in their opinion and presumed ability to know what cannot be known. We’ll now examine how that same faith underlies the claim that the miracles of the Bible are unscientific, illogical, and impossible. Can unbelievers really know that the great and supernatural works of God recorded in Scripture are untrue? As we will see, all arguments against the historical reality of the biblical miracles, regardless of their sophistication, rest on simple and unjustified assumptions of blind faith.\r\n\r\nRandom Reasoning\r\nTo begin, have you ever noticed the contradiction of appealing to <em>fixed and universal laws</em> to deny biblical miracles in order to affirm a universe built and operating according to <em>random chance</em>? Uniform “laws of nature” can only exist because God designed, created and sustains them, apart from whom no such laws are possible. A world founded on random chance gives no basis for uniform laws of anything (to be discussed in part four). In short, the appeal to uniformity in nature to deny miracles affirms God’s existence in order to deny it. Besides, if the universe is founded on and operates according to random chance, how could anyone know how the universe operated at the time of the biblical miracles, or presume that it existed and operated the same way “millions and billions of years ago” as the evolutionists claim to know? To assume that things have always behaved the same way contradicts their explanation of a random chance universe.\r\n\r\nComparatively Small and Entirely Reasonable\r\nHow, then, can the atheist <em>know</em> that the miracles of the Bible are impossible? If a God of infinite power exists, He can do whatever He wants. Indeed, the miracles of Scripture pale in comparison to God’s ongoing exertion of His might to arrange and sustain every particle in the universe at every moment. God the Son “upholds all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3 NAS). God’s power displayed in His plagues on Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, or Jonah’s cruise in a whale are relatively small compared to His ongoing work of ordering and upholding all things. Every miracle of Scripture is reasonable in light of God’s infinite power. And as God created and sustains the laws by which atheists deny the possibility of miracles (laws that are nothing more than how God chooses to order the universe for a particular period of time), He cannot be limited by them.\r\n\r\nMystery and God’s High Ways\r\nGod tells us, “‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,\\\" declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NAS). Given the limits of our human understanding before a God whose ways are infinitely higher than ours, mysteries and miracles should be expected. Thus, to deny the possibility of the biblical miracles, the atheist must first demonstrate that the biblical Maker and Sustainer of all things does not exist.\r\n\r\nEssential but Impossible Knowledge\r\nHow, then, can the atheist know that the biblical God of infinite power does not exist, and that miracles are therefore impossible? As we saw in part one of this series, complete knowledge of everything in the universe and <em>beyond</em> is required to legitimately deny the existence of God, an impossible task. And if atheists cannot possibly know that God does not exist, they cannot possibly know that the miracles of Scripture are impossible. Lacking the evidence and ability to justify their claim, atheists must presume what they cannot possibly know to deny the possibility of God’s miracles. Swimming in a sea of evidence for His power, genius, and goodness, they use their God-given reason and blessings to deny the obvious and place their faith in personal opinion and a presumed ability to know what they cannot possibly know. Rightly Scripture tells us, they are “foolish” (Psalm 14:1) and “without excuse” (Romans 1:20).\r\n\r\nIn the next article I will discuss the unwarranted faith behind the atheist’s denial of God based on what they view as illogical teachings of Scripture.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Blind Faith of Atheism (Part 2 of 4) - Faith Versus Miracles','','inherit','closed','closed','','8376-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:08:20','2023-03-21 11:08:20','',8376,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14905',0,'revision','',0),(14906,1,'2023-03-21 11:09:05','2023-03-21 11:09:05','','Blind-Faith-of-Atheism-Part-1of4-women-dark-hair-blindfold-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','blind-faith-of-atheism-part-1of4-women-dark-hair-blindfold-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:09:05','2023-03-21 11:09:05','',8331,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Blind-Faith-of-Atheism-Part-1of4-women-dark-hair-blindfold-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14907,1,'2023-03-21 11:09:05','2023-03-21 11:09:05','','speculation-about-god-worthless-Holy-Bible-gold-on-black-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','speculation-about-god-worthless-holy-bible-gold-on-black-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:09:05','2023-03-21 11:09:05','',8141,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/speculation-about-god-worthless-Holy-Bible-gold-on-black-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14908,1,'2023-03-21 11:09:08','2023-03-21 11:09:08','','the_dangers_of_practical_deism-215H-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','the_dangers_of_practical_deism-215h-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:09:08','2023-03-21 11:09:08','',7855,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/the_dangers_of_practical_deism-215H-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14909,1,'2023-03-21 11:09:08','2023-03-21 11:09:08','','speculation-about-god-worthless-Holy-Bible-gold-on-black-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','speculation-about-god-worthless-holy-bible-gold-on-black-150x150-2','','','2023-03-21 11:09:08','2023-03-21 11:09:08','',8141,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/speculation-about-god-worthless-Holy-Bible-gold-on-black-150x150-2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14910,1,'2023-03-21 11:09:10','2023-03-21 11:09:10','','God-Exists-Regardless-of-What-People-Believe-crowd-imagine-215H-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','god-exists-regardless-of-what-people-believe-crowd-imagine-215h-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:09:10','2023-03-21 11:09:10','',7650,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/God-Exists-Regardless-of-What-People-Believe-crowd-imagine-215H-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14911,1,'2023-03-21 11:09:14','2023-03-21 11:09:14','','the-divine-laws-of-nature-airplane-wing-out-window-200H-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','the-divine-laws-of-nature-airplane-wing-out-window-200h-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:09:14','2023-03-21 11:09:14','',7562,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/the-divine-laws-of-nature-airplane-wing-out-window-200H-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14912,1,'2023-03-21 11:09:41','2023-03-21 11:09:41','God created and sustains all things. His every work bears His fingerprints and signature, giving such clear, comprehensive, and compelling testimony to His power and genius that all people are without excuse for not worshipping and giving Him thanks. Believers and unbelievers, alike, swim in a sea of evidence for God’s nature and existence. But, for the sake of argument, let’s ignore this basic fact for a moment and ask the question: How much knowledge is necessary for an atheist to know that God does not exist?\r\n\r\nInfinite Knowledge\r\nThe short answer is knowledge of everything in the universe and beyond. In other words, one must have the omniscience of God to legitimately deny the existence of God. Or put another way, one must be God to deny God.\r\n\r\nThe Garage\r\nYet, all people are subject to great human limitations. If I can’t know the contents of my neighbor’s garage without looking inside it, how can I possibly know what is beyond the three or four dimensions of my existence or on the other side of the universe?[1] Can we trust the opinion of people concerning ultimate realities when they have a hard time remembering where they put the car keys?\r\n\r\nBaseless Opinion and Limited Perspective\r\nAtheism, therefore, rests on faith; faith in the authority of human opinion and faith in a presumed ability to know what cannot be known by people with great human limitations. Is it any wonder that Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God’”? God’s words to Job are instructive:\r\n<blockquote>Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, \\\"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me! Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, who set its measurements, since you know?” (Job 38:1-5 NAS)</blockquote>\r\nAnd as God’s words through Isaiah remind us:\r\n<blockquote>Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance, and the hills in a pair of scales? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counselor has informed Him? With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge, and informed Him of the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales.... All the nations are as nothing before Him, they are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless (Isaiah 40:12-17 NAS).</blockquote>\r\nA Proper Perspective\r\nIndeed, a proper view of God provides a proper view of our limitations, and the limitations of those who would deny Him: “Thou hast made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing in Thy sight, surely every man at his best is a mere breath” (Psalm 39:5 NAS). And while all atheists will eventually meet the God they work so hard to deny, we need not be intimidated by their arguments of faith and unfounded opinion until they do. So, the next time you feel intimidated by the sophistication and confidence of atheists or the thickness of their books, remember that they don’t know what is in your garage, let alone what is on the other side of the universe.\r\n\r\n[1] See Craig Biehl, <em>The Box: Answering the Faith of Unbelief</em> (Carpenter’s Son Publishing, 2015).\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Blind Faith of Atheism (Part 1 of 4) - Human Limitations','','inherit','closed','closed','','8331-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:09:41','2023-03-21 11:09:41','',8331,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14912',0,'revision','',0),(14913,1,'2023-03-21 11:09:48','2023-03-21 11:09:48','God is infinite. And people? Well, not so much. In fact, God is so great that we could never know Him if He did not stoop down to reveal Himself to us. “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NAS). One of the most basic and important truths for right thinking and living is our human limitations before an infinite God. We do well to be still and know that we are not God. As created and limited, we depend on God for all things, including knowledge of Himself and His world.\r\n\r\nGuesswork and Wondering in the Dark\r\nAnd given that God is infinitely beyond all things and we depend on Him for all knowledge, one person’s speculation about God and the ultimate nature and meaning of His world is no better than another’s. Apart from God’s revelation, all speculation about God amounts to mere guesswork. Yet, because God is infinitely beyond us and we lack the ability to know anything about Him beyond what He has chosen to reveal to us, we can be thankful He has revealed Himself to us in creation and Scripture. We need not wonder (and wander) in the dark or be shaken by the unjustified speculation of unbelievers.\r\n\r\nKnow Thy Limits\r\nAs created by God in His image, we pursue science to understand and use His works for His glory and the benefit of His creatures. Yet we should do so with the proper understanding of our humble status before the infinite Source and Sustainer of all things. We need wisdom to search out what God has created us to know, and humble reverence to accept our limitations.\r\n\r\nIt is not right for man unrestrainedly to search out things that the Lord has willed to be hid in Himself, and to unfold from eternity itself the sublimest wisdom, which he would have us revere but not understand that through this also he should fill us with wonder. He has set forth by His Word the secrets of his will that he has decided to reveal to us. These He decided to reveal in so far as he foresaw that they would concern us and benefit us.[1]\r\n\r\nSecret Things and Things Revealed\r\nIndeed, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 NAS). Because God exists and orders all things, unbelievers know many things about God’s world, make great scientific discoveries, and build a great many things for the blessing and comfort of humanity. Yet, speculation about God and ultimate issues beyond or contrary to God’s explanation produces the false opinions of our limited and fallen perspective, even while elevating our opinion over God’s revelation and authority. God has so revealed Himself that we might experience the greatest blessings in relationship to Him in Christ. Thus, may “grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:2-3 NAS). The secret things we’ll leave to Him.\r\n\r\n[1] John Calvin, <em>Institutes of Christian Religion</em>, vol. 1, trans. Ford Lewis Battles, ed John T. McNeill (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960), 3.21.1.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Speculation About God Apart From His Revelation Is Worthless','','inherit','closed','closed','','8141-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:09:48','2023-03-21 11:09:48','',8141,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14913',0,'revision','',0),(14914,1,'2023-03-21 11:09:57','2023-03-21 11:09:57','Behind all right thinking and a God-honoring view of the world stands an awareness that all things depend on God as their creator and ongoing sustainer. Yet, as important and obvious as this truth may appear, we don’t always appreciate it.\r\n\r\nTaking Order for Granted\r\nWe are so accustomed to the elements of the universe operating in certain ways that we sometimes take God’s ongoing work of ordering and upholding it for granted, as if the physical laws of the universe can operate independently of His power. After all, everything seems to work the way it did yesterday, last year, or a thousand years ago. We fully expect to wake up in the morning as the same person, in the same house, with the same car we parked in the same driveway the night before.\r\n\r\nWe study the universe and develop accurate explanations of how it operates, including the stars in the sky, life on the earth, and the smallest building blocks of matter. We use this knowledge to the great benefit (and destruction) of mankind. Yet, we can forget that all these things continue and operate by the ongoing power of God. If God ever stopped exerting His power to sustain the universe for a moment, all things would cease to exist.\r\n\r\nPiety Includes a Right View of the World\r\nBelievers exert great care to honor God in issues of piety and obedience, yet we sometimes miss how piety and obedience involve how we think about God and that which He created. We are mindful of spiritual opposition to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the necessity to “put on the full armor of God” to “stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11), but sometimes forget that the devil’s schemes involve promoting wrong thoughts about God and His world. And promote he does—we are confronted daily with his lies as they increasingly form the fabric of our post-Christian culture. And since our sin displays a kind of practical atheism that exalts our will over God’s will, so we exhibit a practical kind of Deism by viewing the universe as begun by God but operating according to independent physical laws. In this we unwittingly echo the lie that God does not order and uphold all things. We need to take care that we do not affirm the desire of unbelievers to define life and the universe as existing and operating apart from God.\r\n\r\nAs Christians we acknowledge and study physical laws, but we know them to be the display of how God orders and sustains the universe. The alternative involves the absurd notion of random chance as the ground and explanation of a universe of ordered and uniform laws. Since when and where does random chance produce or sustain uniform and universal laws? God’s ordering of the universe allows believers and unbelievers to make great scientific breakthroughs and, viewed rightly, all such discoveries reinforce our faith in Christ. And so the more we understand the nature and need of God’s ongoing control of the universe, the more we will view the world in a way that honors God as its creator and sustainer, and our dependence on Him for all things. To Him be all the glory, forever.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Danger of Practical Deism','','inherit','closed','closed','','7855-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:09:57','2023-03-21 11:09:57','',7855,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14914',0,'revision','',0),(14915,1,'2023-03-21 11:10:04','2023-03-21 11:10:04','The very thought sounds almost too obvious to mention, yet the issue underlies discussions with unbelievers more than you might think. The importance of communicating this simple truth to people cannot be overstated, because trust in one’s own ability to answer ultimate questions and interpret ultimate reality apart from God’s explanation has terrible, eternal consequences. One’s personal perspective and opinion forms an inadequate, untrustworthy, and eternally destructive object of faith. All people will meet the God of Scripture someday whether or not they acknowledge His existence and authority.\r\n\r\nThinking Does Not Make Him So\r\nGod created and sustains the universe and everything in it, yet He remains independent of all things. His existence and attributes remain unchanged by what anyone thinks, says, or believes. Nonetheless, history and personal experience tell us that many fail to appreciate or accept this simple and important fact. From the Garden of Eden until today people imagine God to be whatever they want Him to be. The golden calf in the wilderness was merely one variation of this universal tendency to define God according to our fallen preference and desires. And while we may not physically carve a block of wood or silver into an object of worship, we do so mentally when we imagine God to be other than what He has revealed Himself to be, as if thinking makes Him so.\r\n\r\nFaith in a Guess\r\nI recently encountered an atheist admonishing Christians to stop worrying about his eternal destiny because he did not believe in God and therefore would never meet Him when he died. Our worry, he thought, was “misplaced.” Weekly, I am told by a patient where I minister that nothing awaits us beyond our earthly life. “We die and that’s it,” she says. When I ask how she knows this, she appeals to “common sense.” It gives her pause, however, when I explain that our common but limited perspective and opinion cannot determine the nature of ultimate reality. Further, she has entrusted her eternal destiny to a mere guess about something she can’t possibly know, even while Scripture clearly speaks of life and judgment after death. In responding to these two atheists, as with all unbelievers, we help them by explaining the untrustworthy nature of personal opinion as an ultimate object of faith. Every atheist and agnostic will meet their Maker and bow the knee before Christ, regardless of what they believe. They may not thank or even like us for telling them, but we do them a favor, nonetheless.\r\n\r\nEnduring Promises of a Faithful God\r\nSo, as the world grows darker and atheism and unbelief grow in popularity, we need not be intimidated. Should the whole world follow after contemporary apologists of unbelief, God and His promises remain unaffected. Should the entire academic community and cultured despisers of Scripture and the Gospel laugh at our “naïve” and “foolish” faith in Christ, God and His truth endure forever. Christ told us that the way to eternal life is narrow and that few people find it (Matthew 7:13-14), and if people hated Him they will hate us also (John 15:18-21), so we need not be frightened into compromising or denying our faith by the strength and popularity of unbelief. God is not going to change or go away because people with a misplaced faith deny His existence. The fear of man is a snare (Proverbs 29:25), while God remains our sure and firm foundation, forever.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','God Exists and Remains Unchanged by What People Believe','','inherit','closed','closed','','7650-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:10:04','2023-03-21 11:10:04','',7650,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14915',0,'revision','',0),(14916,1,'2023-03-21 11:10:10','2023-03-21 11:10:10','A Lecture at 35,000 Feet\r\nA few years ago I was privileged to share an airline flight with a physics professor from a prestigious Ivy League university. A cordial and refined gentleman, his gray hair matched his gracious manners and impressive credentials. He was a quark expert, specializing in the sub-atomic building blocks of the material universe, and he did not believe in God. Our flight passed quickly as I quizzed the captive but willing scholar about his studies and the nature of the world. His answers were thoughtful and detailed, with helpful charts, diagrams, and formulas composed on several scraps of paper. Throughout our talk, having asked him every question I could muster about the nature of atoms, quarks, and the laws of physics, he said nothing that contradicted the biblical account of reality. In fact, everything he described presented a marvelous picture of the necessity and genius of God to arrange and uphold all things. From his perspective, however, nothing he said gave the least evidence for the existence of God.\r\n\r\nLost in Space\r\nAt one point the professor observed that if you remove all of the empty space from a 1,000 by 1,000 by 1,000 meter cube of water, the matter remaining would only fill a cubic centimeter. Interestingly, a few weeks earlier I viewed a lecture where a physicist claimed that even the cubic centimeter of matter could be compressed further, leaving nothing but space!\r\n\r\nAs the plane began its descent I asked my teacher why everything held together in such an organized, uniform, and consistent pattern when things are mostly space with electrical charges “bouncing around.” He noted that scientists can measure and predict things, and observe that things hold together in particular ways, but ultimately they don’t fully know why. He basically said the same thing about gravity.\r\n\r\nGod’s Classroom\r\nWe know from Scripture, however, that apart from God, nothing would exist, let alone hold together in the amazing order and complexity that animates our universe. Christ “upholds all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 13), and “by Him all things were created, <em>both</em> in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible….and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17 NAS). What we discover in science reflects how God orders and sustains the matter and energy He created. What we call a miracle involves God ordering an aspect of His universe in a different way, at a particular time, for a particular purpose. God alone, then, determines what is possible and impossible in the universe, not those who observe and discover how He orders and sustains it.\r\n\r\nAnd so the uniformity or laws of nature are no more than how God orders the various aspects of the universe as He sees fit, for as long as He sees fit. In fact, they are not really laws at all if by “laws” we mean they exist and operate apart from God’s ongoing power. In the end, we do better calling “natural” laws “divine” laws, for apart from God’s ongoing ordering of the smallest measure of matter and energy, no such laws would exist, nor would we exist to discuss such things.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Divine Laws of “Nature”','','inherit','closed','closed','','7562-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:10:10','2023-03-21 11:10:10','',7562,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14916',0,'revision','',0),(14917,1,'2023-03-21 11:11:01','2023-03-21 11:11:01','','gods-perfect-unchanging-justice-ground-of-gospel-part2-salvation-accomplished-cross-sunset-dotty-clouds-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','gods-perfect-unchanging-justice-ground-of-gospel-part2-salvation-accomplished-cross-sunset-dotty-clouds-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:11:01','2023-03-21 11:11:01','',7361,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/gods-perfect-unchanging-justice-ground-of-gospel-part2-salvation-accomplished-cross-sunset-dotty-clouds-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14918,1,'2023-03-21 11:11:04','2023-03-21 11:11:04','','gods-perfect-unchanging-justice-ground-of-gospel-part1-salvation-accomplished-cross-sunset-dotty-clouds-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','gods-perfect-unchanging-justice-ground-of-gospel-part1-salvation-accomplished-cross-sunset-dotty-clouds-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:11:04','2023-03-21 11:11:04','',7335,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/gods-perfect-unchanging-justice-ground-of-gospel-part1-salvation-accomplished-cross-sunset-dotty-clouds-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14919,1,'2023-03-21 11:11:07','2023-03-21 11:11:07','','Old-Stone-Castle-Wall-Gate-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','old-stone-castle-wall-gate-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:11:07','2023-03-21 11:11:07','',7288,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Old-Stone-Castle-Wall-Gate-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14920,1,'2023-03-21 11:11:09','2023-03-21 11:11:09','','unbelief-denies-the-obvious-and-is-without-excuse-orange-sun-grass-with-dew-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','unbelief-denies-the-obvious-and-is-without-excuse-orange-sun-grass-with-dew-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:11:09','2023-03-21 11:11:09','',7183,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/unbelief-denies-the-obvious-and-is-without-excuse-orange-sun-grass-with-dew-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14921,1,'2023-03-21 11:11:13','2023-03-21 11:11:13','','ultimate-evidence-for-the-divine-nature-of-scripture-Oil-Lamp-Bible-Key-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','ultimate-evidence-for-the-divine-nature-of-scripture-oil-lamp-bible-key-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:11:13','2023-03-21 11:11:13','',6934,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ultimate-evidence-for-the-divine-nature-of-scripture-Oil-Lamp-Bible-Key-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14922,1,'2023-03-21 11:11:19','2023-03-21 11:11:19','In the last post we examined how God’s perfect and unchanging justice and requirement for eternal life makes the saving work of Jesus Christ the only possible way of salvation. Forgiveness of sin and eternal life are only possible by Christ’s satisfaction of the strict and unchanging justice of God. Few, however, partake of the benefits of Christ’s work. How, then, does the accomplishment of salvation by Christ become the possession of sinners?\r\n\r\nUnion with Christ by Faith\r\nGod set His love on the elect “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4), but the bond of love between Christ and the objects of His love remains incomplete until the believer unites to Christ by faith. In love, saving faith embraces Christ and His righteousness alone for eternal life, forsaking the trust of any possible saving righteousness of our own.\r\n\r\nScripture depicts the union of Christ and believers as a marriage. When a man and woman legally unite in the bond of love and become one flesh in the sight of God, all that belongs to the bride becomes the possession of the groom, while all that belongs to the groom becomes the possession of the bride. In the same way, faith unites the believer to Christ in the bond of love and the two legally become one flesh in the eyes of God. United to Christ through faith, our sins were imputed to Christ on the cross when He suffered the Father’s infinite wrath for our sin, “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The righteousness of Christ that satisfied God’s just requirements for eternal life is legally imputed or credited to the believer. “And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).\r\n\r\nJustification by Faith Alone Upholds God’s Perfect Justice\r\nChrist “demonstrated” God’s “righteousness” by paying the penalty for sin on the cross in order that God “might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26). “For if, because of one man\\\'s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17). “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Romans 3:21-22).\r\n\r\nThe law as a means of justification remains entirely contrary to justification by grace through faith alone, but only because its requirements could only be met by Christ. In this way the standard and requirements of God’s justice remain intact. Thus we read, “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law” (Romans 3:31).\r\n\r\nNo Other Way\r\nTherefore, “by works of the law no one will be justified” (Galatians 2:16), and “there is salvation in no one else” and “no other name under heaven given among men [Jesus] by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). God’s strict and inflexible justice cannot allow salvation any other way. All distortions and denials of the Gospel, including all religions of works righteousness, stand on the denial of God’s unchanging and perfect justice and Christ’s perfect work to satisfy it. “If righteousness comes through the Law” (i.e., by sinners keeping the Law), “then Christ died for no purpose” (Galatians 2:21). A false Gospel, then, insults God as righteous and Christ’s perfect and saving work as savior.\r\n<blockquote>But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith (Philippians 3:7-9).</blockquote>\r\nAnd so it is that “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4). Its strict requirements pushed us to Christ, who satisfied its requirements on our behalf, that we might be covered in His righteousness and stand “blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy” (Jude 24).\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','God’s Perfect and Unchanging Justice as the Ground of the Gospel - Part Two: Salvation Applied','','inherit','closed','closed','','7361-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:11:19','2023-03-21 11:11:19','',7361,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14922',0,'revision','',0),(14923,1,'2023-03-21 11:11:33','2023-03-21 11:11:33','The opening chapter of Galatians warns us that “even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). What, then, is the Gospel, and why does God attach such a fearful curse to getting it wrong? The answer begins with the strict and unchanging justice of God.\n\nA Just and Fit Requirement\nCreated and dependent on God for all things, the minimum we owe God is perfect love and obedience, <em>always</em>. With a single sin, however, Adam failed to meet God’s standard, both for himself and for those he represented, bringing the curse of death upon all people. “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). “One trespass led to condemnation for all men,” for “by the one man\\\'s disobedience the many were made sinners” (Romans 5:18-19). And while our every sin confirms Adam’s rebellion, condemnation and the curse came on the world through one sin.\n\nUnchanging Justice\nFounded on His righteous character, God’s requirement for eternal life has never changed. God doesn’t alter His standard of righteousness because we refuse to obey it any more than a judge changes the speed limit when we get a speeding ticket. Rather, Adam’s sin added the penalty of physical and spiritual death for disobedience to the debt of perfect obedience. Without exception, forgiveness of sins and eternal life are impossible without the perfect satisfaction of God’s justice. God would not be God if He compromised His justice to save a single soul.\n\nGod’s righteousness, then, forms the ground of the Gospel and shapes the nature of Christ’s redeeming work. Christ alone, the second Adam, could satisfy the perfect obedience and penalty for sin required by God’s justice. As sinless man He could stand in our place as our substitute, as God He could pay our infinite debt for sin. The best works of fallen people could never meet the perfection required by God’s justice. “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all” (James 2:10).\n\nAs God does not change, and as we forever remain His creatures, the loving and reverent submission we owe to God’s authority never changes. Created and sustained by a God of infinite excellence, the greatest commandment remains, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).\n\nJustice Fulfilled\nThus, from God’s heart of love to the unlovely, Christ met the requirements of God’s justice on our behalf: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). Subjecting Himself to God’s law as our substitute, He “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). Through Christ, then, God’s strict and unchanging justice endures intact while He remains just in justifying the ungodly.\n<blockquote>Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished (Matthew 5:17-18).</blockquote>\nNo Other Way\n“By the one man\\\'s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man\\\'s obedience the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). Salvation is through the perfect person and work of Christ, alone. By understanding God’s perfect and unchanging justice, as rooted in His perfect and unchanging character, we see why Christ can claim, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). “For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NAS).\n\nChrist perfectly satisfied divine justice and met the strict and unchanging terms of eternal life as our substitute. Yet, not everyone will reap the benefits of His gracious work, “For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Matthew 7:14 NAS). How the eternal benefits of Christ’s work become ours will be discussed in Part Two: “Salvation Applied.”\n\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\n<div>\n\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\n\n</div>\n<!--end table-text cell-->\n\n</div>\n<!--end modal window-->','God’s Perfect and Unchanging Justice Is the Ground of the Gospel - Part One: Salvation Accomplished','','inherit','closed','closed','','7335-autosave-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:11:33','2023-03-21 11:11:33','',7335,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14923',0,'revision','',0),(14924,1,'2023-03-21 11:11:35','2023-03-21 11:11:35','The opening chapter of Galatians warns us that “even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). What, then, is the Gospel, and why does God attach such a fearful curse to getting it wrong? The answer begins with the strict and unchanging justice of God.\r\n\r\nA Just and Fit Requirement\r\nCreated and dependent on God for all things, the minimum we owe God is perfect love and obedience, <em>always</em>. With a single sin, however, Adam failed to meet God’s standard, both for himself and for those he represented, bringing the curse of death upon all people. “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). “One trespass led to condemnation for all men,” for “by the one man\\\'s disobedience the many were made sinners” (Romans 5:18-19). And while our every sin confirms Adam’s rebellion, condemnation and the curse came on the world through one sin.\r\n\r\nUnchanging Justice\r\nFounded on His righteous character, God’s requirement for eternal life has never changed. God doesn’t alter His standard of righteousness because we refuse to obey it any more than a judge changes the speed limit when we get a speeding ticket. Rather, Adam’s sin added the penalty of physical and spiritual death for disobedience to the debt of perfect obedience. Without exception, forgiveness of sins and eternal life are impossible without the perfect satisfaction of God’s justice. God would not be God if He compromised His justice to save a single soul.\r\n\r\nGod’s righteousness, then, forms the ground of the Gospel and shapes the nature of Christ’s redeeming work. Christ alone, the second Adam, could satisfy the perfect obedience and penalty for sin required by God’s justice. As sinless man He could stand in our place as our substitute, as God He could pay our infinite debt for sin. The best works of fallen people could never meet the perfection required by God’s justice. “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all” (James 2:10).\r\n\r\nAs God does not change, and as we forever remain His creatures, the loving and reverent submission we owe to God’s authority never changes. Created and sustained by a God of infinite excellence, the greatest commandment remains, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).\r\n\r\nJustice Fulfilled\r\nThus, from God’s heart of love to the unlovely, Christ met the requirements of God’s justice on our behalf: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). Subjecting Himself to God’s law as our substitute, He “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). Through Christ, then, God’s strict and unchanging justice endures intact while He remains just in justifying the ungodly.\r\n<blockquote>Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished (Matthew 5:17-18).</blockquote>\r\nNo Other Way\r\n“By the one man\\\'s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man\\\'s obedience the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). Salvation is through the perfect person and work of Christ, alone. By understanding God’s perfect and unchanging justice, as rooted in His perfect and unchanging character, we see why Christ can claim, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). “For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NAS).\r\n\r\nChrist perfectly satisfied divine justice and met the strict and unchanging terms of eternal life as our substitute. Yet, not everyone will reap the benefits of His gracious work, “For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Matthew 7:14 NAS). How the eternal benefits of Christ’s work become ours will be discussed in Part Two: “Salvation Applied.”\r\n\r\nUnless noted otherwise, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','God’s Perfect and Unchanging Justice Is the Ground of the Gospel - Part One: Salvation Accomplished','','inherit','closed','closed','','7335-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:11:35','2023-03-21 11:11:35','',7335,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14924',0,'revision','',0),(14925,1,'2023-03-21 11:11:41','2023-03-21 11:11:41','How can people do such terrible things? And worse, how can people who once named the name of Christ, who sang songs of worship in the assembly and enjoyed sweet fellowship with the saints of Christ fall away and do terrible things? For an answer, look no further than the crowds before Pilate in the Roman trial of Christ. Perhaps no other event in history gives more insight into unbelief and the fallen heart than that day in Jerusalem.\r\n\r\nClear and Abundant Testimony\r\nShouts of “Hosanna in the highest!” greeted Christ’s “triumphal” entry into Jerusalem.[1] Why such an uproar? Some ate of the loaves and fishes. Some saw Lazarus rise from the dead, the lame walk, the blind see, or the once demon possessed in their right mind. Multitudes witnessed Christ’s many miracles and were “amazed at the greatness of God” through them (Luke 9:43 NAS). All of Israel knew of Christ’s great power and goodness. Moreover, “the multitudes were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29 NAS). Thus, Israel had sufficient evidence that their long awaited Messiah had arrived, that God Himself, the One who could forgive sins, the One the Pharisees accused of blasphemy, had come to redeem them.\r\n\r\nEarthly Explanations\r\nWhy, then, did the shouts of “Hosanna!” so quickly and easily turn to “Crucify!” Perhaps the crowds feared the retribution of the religious leaders that led the charge, or were mindlessly caught up in the heat of the mob. But these and similar explanations beg the question of why people familiar with Christ’s awesome and excellent works of power, goodness, and divinity could so easily be moved to shout for His death, even the horrible death on a cross? The answer gives us profound insight into the nature of unbelief and the fallen heart.\r\n\r\nLove of Benefits Without Love of God\r\nFirst, not all people followed Christ from love of His nature and mission; many followed Him for His earthly gifts. Christ spoke of this when He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled” (John 6:26 NAS). Some followed Christ for deliverance from their earthly diseases and afflictions. Moreover, they were “amazed” and enjoyed the displays of His power. The shouts of “Hosanna” apparently reflected anticipation that Jesus would save them from the cruelty of Rome. When their hope was dashed by His humiliation under the power of Rome, they cried for Barabbas. People, then, may love <em>God’s blessings</em> without loving <em>God</em>. The crowds rejoiced at the prospect of earthly freedom, of deliverance from earthly diseases and troubles, but deserted their Benefactor when the stream of earthly blessings appeared to run dry. Distinguishing true love for God from a mere mercenary “love” of His gifts can be difficult, but in the crowd shouting “crucify,” the difference was clear.\r\n\r\nDenial of the Obvious\r\nSecond, unbelief is not founded on a lack of evidence. When did people have more first-hand evidence of the excellence of Christ than the crowd in Jerusalem? In no time in history had God’s infinite excellence been so clearly and gloriously displayed than in the person and works of Christ (to be most pointedly displayed in His death on the cross). Yet, they denied Him in a most horrific way.\r\n\r\nUnbridled Depravity\r\nThird, the fallen heart is capable of horrendous evil. Even while they missed the true purpose of Christ’s ministry and lost their hope for deliverance from Rome, what could justify shouting for His death, even the cruel death of crucifixion? Where was their sense of justice, their appreciation for His impeccable goodness and generosity toward them? Who could wish such a death on their worst enemy, let alone one as excellent as Christ? It appears that the selfish, earthly pursuits and preferences of a fallen and unbelieving heart can overtake the most noble of virtues.\r\n\r\nWheat Holds Fast\r\nDistinguishing wheat from tares can be difficult, for “the heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NAS). But in the end, true belief holds fast to Christ from a love of His excellence, even in the face of earthly loss and disappointment.\r\n\r\n[1] Mark 11:10\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Hosanna and the Nature of Apostasy and Unbelief','','inherit','closed','closed','','7288-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:11:41','2023-03-21 11:11:41','',7288,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14925',0,'revision','',0),(14926,1,'2023-03-21 11:11:48','2023-03-21 11:11:48','Believers often appeal to a lack of evidence for the existence of God in the world to justify their unbelief. “If I could see enough evidence for God,” or, “if He would reveal Himself to me I would believe in Him,” some would say. But, do people oppose and reject the Gospel because they lack evidence for God’s existence? Must we first convince unbelievers of the existence of God before presenting the Gospel? Let’s see.\r\n\r\nKnowledge of God in Creation\r\nTo begin, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). “The whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3). God displays His nature and existence in His works.\r\n<blockquote>For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened (Romans 1:18-21 ESV).</blockquote>\r\nThe evidence for God’s existence, genius, power, and goodness appears so obvious that all people are in debt to seek God and give Him thanks. As the works of a Rembrandt display his brilliance and surpass the scribbles of a child, so God’s works display His divine genius to such an extent that unbelievers “know” God, even while they deny Him from a heart of hostility. Their knowledge of God lacks the personal and loving aspect of the believer’s knowledge, but they know God, nonetheless. “Light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). In a similar way, Satan and demons “know” God, but despise His holiness and refuse to bow the knee to His authority.[1]\r\n\r\nKnowledge of God in Good Things\r\nFurther, God “did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17 ESV). Every grain of wheat, every meal, every raindrop declares His goodness. Every good thing we enjoy calls us to thank and worship God.\r\n\r\nKnowledge of God in the Conscience\r\nAn inescapable knowledge of God also resides in the conscience and consciousness of every soul, for God has written His law upon every heart.[2] And while few will admit it, none can fully escape it. The madness of holding in contempt the One who holds the destiny of every soul is magnified by the fact that, deep down, people know better.\r\n\r\nSaving Knowledge of God in Christ\r\nIn conclusion, we bring the Gospel to people who know God enough through creation, good things, and the witness of their conscience to seek, thank, and worship Him. At the same time, the unbeliever’s knowledge of God saves no one, for “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17 NAS). People are born again “through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). And while no one embraces Christ in faith until God opens their eyes to see their sin in the light of the excellence of God’s holiness in Christ and the Gospel, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). So, when people oppose and reject Christ in the same way they reject their general knowledge of God, we always have a point of contact with unbelievers in the inescapable knowledge of God in their soul. We are “not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16 NAS).\r\n\r\n[1] See James 2:19.\r\n\r\n[2] Romans 2:14-15.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Unbelief Denies the Obvious and Is Without Excuse','','inherit','closed','closed','','7183-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:11:48','2023-03-21 11:11:48','',7183,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14926',0,'revision','',0),(14927,1,'2023-03-21 11:12:15','2023-03-21 11:12:15','Have you ever heard that Scripture is no more than a human book, like Shakespeare or other classics? And have you felt unprepared to respond with historical and other arguments to convince the objector of its divine nature? Yet, while the proofs for Scripture as God’s Word are plentiful and helpful, the greatest evidence cannot be learned in the classroom.\r\n\r\nGod’s “Fingerprints”\r\nScripture teaches that the marks of God’s power, genius, and goodness are clearly seen in created things, good things, and His law written on every heart.[1] In the same way, Scripture bears the clear, comprehensive, and compelling marks of God as its Author. Denials of God’s existence and Scripture as God’s Word come not from a lack of evidence, but from a dislike of the implications (i.e., God rules, we don’t; we owe Him everything; we can’t do anything we want; God will judge sin, et al). In speaking of Scripture and the Gospel, Jonathan Edwards writes:\r\n<blockquote>The divine glory and beauty of divine things is in itself a real evidence of their divinity, and the most direct and strong evidence….We cannot rationally doubt but that things that are divine, and that appertain to the Supreme Being, are vastly different from the things that are human: that there is a God-like, high, and glorious excellency in them, that does so distinguish them from the things which are of men that the difference is ineffable; and therefore such as, if seen will have a most convincing, satisfying influence upon any one that they are what they are, viz., divine.[2]</blockquote>\r\nA Bad Heart and Eyes\r\nPeople reject the authority of Scripture in the same way they reject the testimony of creation, providence, and their own conscience—from the preference of a fallen heart, not a lack of evidence. “A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Corinthians 2:14 NAS). As one without taste buds cannot appreciate the taste of honey, so people without a love of God’s holiness as revealed in Scripture will never see Scripture as the Word and words of God. The sin-darkened heart that rejects the beauty of the One displayed in its pages will reject Him as its composer. Moreover, as Christ said, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority” (John 7:17 ESV). The heart unwilling to obey God will not see Scripture as the revelation of God’s will.\r\n\r\nThe Need of Despair\r\nLastly, a heart unconvinced of the evil of its own sin will not see Scripture in its proper glory. As James Denney once wrote, neither “historical scholarship” nor “insight of genius” is needed to understand the Gospel, but “despair.”\r\n<blockquote>Paul did not preach for scholars, nor even for philosophers; he preached for sinners. He had no gospel except for men whose mouths were stopped, and who were standing condemned at the bar of God. They understood him, and they find him eminently intelligible still. When a man has the simplicity to say, with Dr. Chalmers, “What could I do if God did not justify the ungodly?” he has the key to the Pauline gospel of reconciliation in his hand.[3]</blockquote>\r\nThe despair of one’s soul before a holy God comes by a glimpse of our sin and unworthiness in the light of God’s infinite holiness. By this we see the marvelous remedy in Christ, the beauty and excellence of God’s perfect nature and works in Scripture, and His fingerprints on every word. The greatest evidence of Scripture as God’s Word is Scripture itself, reflecting the infinite excellence of its Author.\r\n\r\n[1] Psalm 19:1-7, Acts 14:15-17, Romans 2:14-15.\r\n\r\n[2] Jonathan Edwards, <em>The Religious Affections</em> (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1986), 224, 225. Cf. Jonathan Edwards, <em>Religious Affections</em>, ed. John Edwin Smith, <em>The Works of Jonathan Edwards</em>, vol. 2 (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1959), 298, 299.\r\n\r\n[3] James Denney, <em>The Christian Doctrine of Reconciliation</em> (London: Hodder &amp; Stoughton, 1919; reprint, Quinta Press, 2012), 179-180. Accessed February 16, 2014, <a title=\"\\&quot;James\" href=\"//www.quintapress.macmate.me/PDF_Books/Reconciliation_v1.pdf\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">http://www.quintapress.macmate.me/PDF_Books/Reconciliation_v1.pdf</a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\\&quot;#openModalbpcta\\&quot;\"><strong> Click here to download a PDF of this article. </strong></a>\r\n\r\n© 2016 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/products/booksbycraigbiehl/god-the-reason/\\&quot;\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/products/booksbycraigbiehl/the-box/\\&quot;\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/products/booksbycraigbiehl/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\\&quot;\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/products/booksbycraigbiehl/reading-religious-affections/\\&quot;\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n<!--Modal Window Blog Post PDF CTA-Opt-in Code-->\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a title=\"\\&quot;Pilgrim\\\'s\" href=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/2016/01/the-ultimate-evidence-for-the-divine-nature-of-scripture/\\&quot;\"><img class=\"\\&quot;aligncenter\" src=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ultimate-evidence-for-the-divine-nature-of-scripture-Oil-Lamp-Bible-Key-300x224.jpg\\&quot;\" alt=\"\\&quot;The\" width=\"\\&quot;300\\&quot;\" height=\"\\&quot;224\\&quot;\" /></a>\r\n<a class=\"\\&quot;close\\&quot;\" title=\"\\&quot;Close\\&quot;\" href=\"\\&quot;#close\\&quot;\">X</a>\r\n<h2>Yes, I Want a PDF of \\\"The Ultimate Evidence for the Divine Nature of Scripture\\\"</h2>\r\n[contact-form-7 id=\\\"6939\\\" title=\\\"Blog PDF - The Ultimate Evidence for the Divine Nature of Scripture\\\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>We respect your privacy. We\\\'ll NEVER sell, rent, or share your email address. That\\\'s more than a policy, it\\\'s our guarantee!</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Ultimate Evidence for the Divine Nature of Scripture','','inherit','closed','closed','','6934-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:12:15','2023-03-21 11:12:15','',6934,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14927',0,'revision','',0),(14928,1,'2023-03-21 11:13:05','2023-03-21 11:13:05','','disinterested-neutrality-toward-god-is-comtempt-file0001645006196-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','disinterested-neutrality-toward-god-is-comtempt-file0001645006196-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:13:05','2023-03-21 11:13:05','',6802,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/disinterested-neutrality-toward-god-is-comtempt-file0001645006196-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14929,1,'2023-03-21 11:13:05','2023-03-21 11:13:05','','because-god-needs-nothing-can-give-everything-Bird-On-Cross-300w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','because-god-needs-nothing-can-give-everything-bird-on-cross-300w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:13:05','2023-03-21 11:13:05','',6879,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/because-god-needs-nothing-can-give-everything-Bird-On-Cross-300w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14930,1,'2023-03-21 11:13:12','2023-03-21 11:13:12','','strange-attire-the-christian-costume-of-unbelief-dog-in-costume215H-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','strange-attire-the-christian-costume-of-unbelief-dog-in-costume215h-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:13:12','2023-03-21 11:13:12','',6709,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/strange-attire-the-christian-costume-of-unbelief-dog-in-costume215H-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14931,1,'2023-03-21 11:13:18','2023-03-21 11:13:18','','BeWiseInWhatIsGood-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','bewiseinwhatisgood-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:13:18','2023-03-21 11:13:18','',6413,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/BeWiseInWhatIsGood-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14932,1,'2023-03-21 11:13:22','2023-03-21 11:13:22','','JobImage-Part2-150x150 (1)','','inherit','open','closed','','jobimage-part2-150x150-1','','','2023-03-21 11:13:22','2023-03-21 11:13:22','',6329,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/JobImage-Part2-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14933,1,'2023-03-21 11:13:28','2023-03-21 11:13:28','Bad Habits\r\nOne of our least helpful habits we drag into our new life in Christ reads God and His promises through the lens of our former life without Christ. God has given us eternal life where all things are new: a new authority, a new heart, and a new love for God and all that reflects His perfect and holy character. Yet, some bad habits die hard. One such habit views God’s love and grace toward us according to fallen human standards, according to our personal experience. We might be tempted to believe that a God of infinite excellence and boundless resources would take little interest or delight in our insignificant and imperfect existence. After all, most of us know people who have no desire to befriend or help us because they have no need for us. God has a universe to run and unique and personal concern for us individually can be hard to fathom in a world of broken promises, fickle and conditional love, arrogance, deception, and a host of other traits of our fallen world. Moreover, God needs nothing, least of all a pain in the neck.\r\n\r\nThe Overflow of Infinite Goodness\r\nGod, however, is the consummate and perfect Father; He does not treat His children that way. In fact, He spends a great deal of ink in His love letter confirming His deepest concern for each of us personally. “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31 NAS). Moreover, He has gone the infinite distance to prove it: “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10 NAS). “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NAS). Not only does He set His love on those who can add nothing to His infinite sufficiency, He does it at infinite cost to Himself in Christ, in order that He might give to us without measure from His boundless treasures. That God needs nothing means great blessing to us because He has all to give, with no reduction to His endless resources. The Puritan Thomas Brooks said it well:\r\n<blockquote>God hath in Himself all power to defend you, all wisdom to direct you, all mercy to pardon you, all grace to enrich you, all righteousness to clothe you, all goodness to supply you, and all happiness to crown you.[1]</blockquote>\r\nWe thank God that from His love and overflow of His infinite goodness He has chosen to bless us, to delight in our eternal happiness, and He has done so in the person and saving work of Jesus Christ. God’s sufficiency has become our eternal blessing and joy in Christ. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). Praise God He has all to give, and He has determined to give it without measure to His children in Christ.\r\n\r\n[1] Quoted in I. D. E. Thomas, ed., <em>A Puritan Golden Treasury</em> (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth), 126.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Because God Needs Nothing He Can Give Us Everything','','inherit','closed','closed','','6879-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:13:28','2023-03-21 11:13:28','',6879,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14933',0,'revision','',0),(14934,1,'2023-03-21 11:13:37','2023-03-21 11:13:37','A Bad Turn\r\nJohn was on his way home after a long and difficult day at work. Having burned the midnight oil at the office for several weeks, the stress and fatigue was about to catch up with him. A few miles and minutes from his family he lost control and clipped a guardrail, flipping the car and landing it upside down in the middle of the road. Trapped inside, he watched in horror as gasoline from the ruptured tank caught fire and lit the pavement. And worse, the road was remote and cries for help would go unheard. Terrible thoughts raced through his head. Was this the end? Would he never see his family again? Would he die an excruciating death? As the seconds dragged like hours, his cries for help became screams of horror, filled with regret and sorrow.\r\n\r\nA Good Turn\r\nAs he gave up all hope he saw a white light through the flames. The car shook as he heard a voice and felt a strong grip on his wrist. Within moments he found himself lying on the pavement several yards from the burning car, while flashing red lights approached in the distance. A passing traveler had stopped and braved the flames to save the desperate and pleading driver, pulling him clear of the wreckage. In the process, however, he suffered significant burns to his face and body and was taken away in an ambulance. Surprisingly, John was virtually unscathed. His tears of terror became tears of joy at the thought of embracing his wife and family again.\r\n\r\nA Terrible Response\r\nThe fireman tending to John described the daring rescue and asked if he would like to visit his brave and selfless savior as he struggled for life in a nearby hospital. “Wouldn’t you like the opportunity to thank him for saving your life?” he asked. <a title=\"\\&quot;Disinterested\" href=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/2016/01/disinterested-neutrality-toward-god-is-contempt/\\&quot;\"><img class=\"\\&quot;alignright\" src=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/disinterested-neutrality-toward-god-is-contempt-DSC06084-B2-300w-300x225.jpg\\&quot;\" alt=\"\\&quot;Disinterested\" width=\"\\&quot;300\\&quot;\" height=\"\\&quot;225\\&quot;\" /></a> John, thinking only of seeing his family, replied, “No thanks, I’m not interested.”\r\n\r\nNow, before we write off John as an exception, a rare example of profound ingratitude, consider indifference toward the One who freely gave us life and every good thing, apart from whom we have nothing, to whom we owe all love and gratitude, whose goodness touches every aspect of our life. Indeed, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Imagine denying God’s existence while enjoying the rich blessings of His world, including family and friends, in the midst of the clear display of His excellence and power always and everywhere, for “since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20 NAS). Imagine apathy toward One who bore infinite humiliation and suffering on His own soul in our place, to purchase for us eternal life and happiness forever, who “demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NAS). How should we view, “no thanks, I’m not interested,” as a response to God? How does God view it?\r\n\r\nNo one views God and His universe with disinterested neutrality any more than they view Christ that way, for Christ tells us, “Whoever is not with me is against me” (Luke 11:23). Why? Because indifference toward the One to whom we owe all love, obedience and thanksgiving is neither noble nor reasonable— it is contempt.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Disinterested “Neutrality” Toward God Is Contempt','','inherit','closed','closed','','6802-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:13:37','2023-03-21 11:13:37','',6802,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14934',0,'revision','',0),(14935,1,'2023-03-21 11:13:46','2023-03-21 11:13:46','Unbelief maintains an extensive wardrobe and presents itself in a wide variety of colors and styles to fit the occasion or conform to the diverse tastes of its many adherents. Yet, despite its varied and changing appearance, it remains the same in its essential nature. In fact, even those unbelieving theological or philosophical perspectives that appear to be mortal enemies are on friendly terms according to their most basic beliefs.\r\n\r\nFor example, most Christians are familiar with “christian” liberalism and its effects, even if they do not recognize it by name. Where “christian” liberalism takes hold (hereafter referred to as “liberalism”), churches, schools, and seminaries that once stood as pillars of biblical truth and practice retain the mere outward appearance of Christian worship while denying its most precious truths. They hold to “a form of godliness” as they “deny its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). Christ, once worshipped as God who took upon Himself a human body and nature to save people from their sin, becomes no more than an idealized man. Scripture is relegated to the mere musings of people, devoid of its divine origin and authority. For liberalism, God is no greater than you and me.\r\n\r\nNeo-orthodox theologians such as Karl Barth, on the other hand, appear to many as the antidote to liberalism, returning God to His exalted status. The theology of neo-orthodox theologians is often credited with providing the needed cure for liberalism by emphasizing God’s transcendence or “otherness.” Barth’s opposition to the theology of Friedrich Schleiermacher is often seen as part of this corrective. In the language of neo-orthodoxy, God remains entirely beyond what mere human language can describe. On its face, then, it appeared on the scene as the mortal enemy of liberalism.\r\n\r\nYet, while neo-orthodoxy may have corrected some of the errors of liberalism, it nonetheless operates according to the same basic principles. In a surprising irony, both religious liberalism and neo-orthodoxy found themselves on the same road with the same destination. Their war of words masked an affinity not always understood or appreciated: they both deny Scripture as true and real history; they both deny that Christ was and is God in the flesh who, in real time and history, satisfied the legal requirements of God’s law on behalf of sinners; and they both deny that people will be eternally condemned for their sin against God’s law apart from personally placing their faith in Christ alone for salvation. The cure, it seems, is no better than the disease.\r\n\r\nFrancis Schaeffer once said of neo-orthodoxy, “What existential philosophy had already said in secular language was now expressed in theological language.” It only gives the “illusion” of being Christian and different from secular existentialism by using terms that have a “religious connotation,” even though the Christian terms they use are devoid of orthodox Christian meaning. Their use of Christian language was so effective that many Christians today see little difference between neo-orthodoxy and true, biblical Christianity. Here, again, neo-orthodoxy and liberalism stand on the same ground in their use of Christian terminology without true Christian meaning.\r\n\r\nAnd so we see how two seemingly contrary religious systems agree in their opposition to true, biblical Christianity. Employing the same unbelieving principle that elevates speculation and human opinion above the truth and authority of God and Scripture, they stand united in opposition to the essential doctrines of Christianity, even while using Christian terminology. Much that poses as Christianity today is merely unbelief in the garb of Christian language. Thus, in our love to God in affirming the truth and authority of what He has told us in Scripture, we must take great care to look beyond the mere use of Christian words to what people mean by those words. Do they uphold the divine authority of Scripture and what it teaches about all things? Do they love and uphold what Scripture teaches concerning the person and work of Christ, in heaven and in time and history on earth? Our subtle adversary wears many outfits, including the robes of an angel of light. We do well to look beyond mere appearance to the substance at the heart of belief. Our adversary is clever, indeed, but we should not and need not be deceived by his many disguises.\r\n\r\n[1] See Keith W. Clements, ed. <em>Friedrich Schleiermacher: Pioneer of Modern Theology</em> (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1991), 7-8.\r\n\r\n[2] See Francis Schaeffer, <em>The God Who Is There</em>, in <em>Francis A. Schaeffer Trilogy</em> (Wheaton: Crossway, 1990) 53; 51-65.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Strange Attire: The “Christian” Costume of Unbelief','','inherit','closed','closed','','6709-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:13:46','2023-03-21 11:13:46','',6709,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14935',0,'revision','',0),(14936,1,'2023-03-21 11:14:38','2023-03-21 11:14:38','Compassion is a beautiful word with great biblical connotations, a word that should characterize every believer in Jesus Christ. Indeed, it characterized Christ’s earthly ministry. As such, however, it has great potential for abuse and manipulation. One need only look to the “compassion” that destroyed urban families, created a perpetual underclass and voting bloc, demoralized and created dependency on taxpayer money, and treated people as if they are less intelligent and less capable than others. Some compassion is merely lip service to further a political agenda for power and control, and only has life because well-meaning but naïve people support such policies under the power of the word “compassion.”\r\n\r\nSo, when you hear the clarion call for compassion from those who oppose Christ, His church, His Word (Scripture) and the principles and values it teaches, be wise and beware, lest you find yourself supporting something contrary to the principles and purposes of God.\r\n\r\nIn recent weeks several Christian writers have expressed agreement with the president’s plan to settle thousands of Muslim “refugees” in the United States, an action consistent with policies of the last 7 years granting unprecedented numbers of Muslims entrance into the U.S. under various programs.\r\n\r\nBut, for all the appeal to “compassion,” has such compassion been similarly extended toward Christians and Yazidis suffering enslavement, rape, crucifixion and all manner of cruel and murderous punishments? Amidst the incoherent policies of the U.S. at work in the Middle East, one thing is apparent: the interest of indigenous Christians and non-Muslims is not a priority. Indeed, they are being exterminated, while only a trickle (less than 1%) are being resettled in the U.S. They were not a priority in Egypt when our administration supported the Muslim brotherhood, and were not a priority in Benghazi when our own people were left to be murdered. The actions of the present administration have not been favorable to Christians and biblical principles internationally or at home. Indeed, our freedoms as Christians to live our convictions and speak forth the truth are under attack from many sides. The implementation of the present call for “compassion” will only hasten the attacks and our loss of freedoms.\r\n\r\nPerhaps we should also regard the call to preach and teach the Gospel, love and protect our neighbor, and extend compassion to those being enslaved and butchered, a compassion that extends into eternity. Consider a few thoughts.\r\n\r\nFirst, the U.S. has historically been a launching pad for the Gospel around the world. Christians have the freedom and context to raise money and send missionaries to extend temporal and eternal compassion to multitudes in the name of Christ. Our nation has been the most compassionate in this regard. Increasingly, however, that ability is being lost. Indeed, we are approaching the point where Christians could be prosecuted for “hate speech” for preaching the truth and opposing false religion (it has already begun). What happens to our ability to love our neighbor across the seas when the Gospel becomes a crime at home? How many will suffer the negative effects, both here and abroad? What happens when we can no longer elect those who oppose the encroachment on our freedom to live according to our convictions and bring the life-saving message of Christ and the Gospel? Do we not see the policies of open borders and Muslim immigration as related to increasing a certain voting base, a base that typically votes for a party and politicians whose policies are increasingly opposed to our freedoms as Christians?\r\n\r\nSecond, does it love our neighbor to put them at greater risk to be the victim of terror? We may tweet “Je suis Charlie” in support of free speech, but it has been lost in many countries, is being lost throughout Europe, and people are being murdered to stifle it. Do we love our neighbor by facilitating the same scenario in our country? Are we not called to protect our family and neighbor?\r\n\r\nThird, showing compassion to a wounded enemy soldier on the battlefield in a war is a far cry from inviting the opposing army into your city. We are to love and seek the salvation of our non-Christian friends and neighbors, but we are not to destroy our ability to do so in the process.\r\n\r\nFourth, many of the lawless policies being promoted by the current administration will lead to great damage to us and our neighbor, both temporally and eternally. Do we really want to find ourselves on the side of those destroying our country and therefore our neighbor under the guise of “compassion?” Are we really that naïve? Additionally, people saying constitutional protections of Americans extend to non-Americans desiring to enter the country are uninformed or lying. Immigration into the U.S. has been stopped many times, sometimes for decades, and because of beliefs inconsistent with core American principles (to wit, Nazis were not allowed into the U.S. for years because of their beliefs). Entrance into the U.S. is a privilege, not a right, and one that should only be extended to those in whole-hearted agreement with freedom of speech, the American way of life, and constitutional rule.\r\n\r\nFifth, Christian missionaries have been ministering to non-Christians for centuries in closed and open countries. There are alternative ways to extend compassion to refugees in the Middle East, without aiding those seeking to destroy our freedoms and our country, including policies that don’t create refugees in the first place. Perhaps the surrounding Muslim nations could step up to the plate?\r\n\r\nMuch more could be said about the incompatibility of Sharia law and a constitutional republic, the history and teachings of Islam, etc. But part of our call for compassion includes the call to expose and resist the sirens’ song that seeks to destroy us, our family, and our neighbor. Jesus said we will know people by their fruits, and we have plenty of fruit to question what opponents of Christianity are currently promoting. “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Mt. 10:16). We live in perilous times and need to love Christ with a healthy dose of godly wisdom that we might continue serving Christ for His glory and the eternal benefit of our neighbor. May God give us the grace to wisely navigate treacherous waters without falling prey to the abuse and manipulation of “compassion.”\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Call for Compassion: Be Wise and Beware','','inherit','closed','closed','','6413-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:14:38','2023-03-21 11:14:38','',6413,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14936',0,'revision','',0),(14937,1,'2023-03-21 11:14:45','2023-03-21 11:14:45','In Part One we observed that crying and complaining to God, as well as casting our cares upon Him, are privileges purchased for us by Christ. God understands our needs and weaknesses and responds to our cries with great compassion. But, we asked, does God’s care and compassion give us license to complain against God, who is perfect in power and goodness, who always acts in perfect righteousness and desires the best for His people? To answer the question we turned to the experience of Job, who’s intense suffering eventually gave way to his questioning the righteousness, knowledge, and goodness of God, to the extent that he even accused God of favoring the wicked. We come now to God’s response.\r\n\r\nJob Goes to School\r\nAt long last, however, God answered Job, but not in a manner he or we might have expected. “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding” (Job 38:1-4). After two more chapters of God schooling Job on the proper attitude toward one’s Creator, God gets to the heart of the matter.\r\n<blockquote>‘Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.’ Then Job answered the LORD and said: ‘Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.’ Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: ‘Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?’ (Job 40:2-8).</blockquote>\r\nOuch. Couldn’t God have gone easy on poor Job? After all, Job’s suffering was extreme and he suffered because he was righteous. Perhaps no one, before or after Job, had better cause to complain against God. Satan had insulted Job and God by attributing Job’s righteousness to mere pragmatic selfishness. Job loved God for what he could get and nothing more, went Satan’s argument. Thus, to prove Satan wrong, Job suffered. But Job was oblivious to this. Wouldn’t that justify Job’s complaint against God just a little bit? Apparently not.\r\n\r\nGod’s Greater Purpose\r\nGod was educating angels and every soul who would read of Job’s experience (Job 1:6-2:7). Job knew nothing of his role as God’s spiritual object lesson, but as created by a God of perfect righteousness who had greater purposes than he understood, Job had no right to question the goodness or righteousness of God. Nor do we. In the end, Job learned his lesson.\r\n<blockquote>Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me. I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:1-6).</blockquote>\r\nGod proceeded to bless Job more in the end than prior to his suffering. What’s more, Job now has all of eternity to bask in the infinite blessings of God, while saints yet to arrive in glory learn eternal lessons from his relatively short life and suffering. God answered Job and we reap the benefits.\r\n\r\nJob’s Lesson for Us\r\nGod, however, does not always confront our complaints as He did with Job. Sometimes He puts up with our foolishness for a time or until we learn our lesson the hard way. But, God’s patience toward our tantrums is not approval. God bears with a great many things in His beloved children, just as He is slow to reveal His wrath toward a blaspheming world. He is “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7). Yet, anger or complaints against God are never justified, however patient God may be with us. What legitimate charge can created and fallen people bring against a God of perfect righteousness? We do best to trust His perfect character, even as we cry out to Him in our troubles. Our good and loving God will always do what is right.\r\n\r\nScripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Is It Okay to Complain Against God? (Part Two)','','inherit','closed','closed','','6329-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:14:45','2023-03-21 11:14:45','',6329,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14937',0,'revision','',0),(14938,1,'2023-03-21 11:15:59','2023-03-21 11:15:59','','JobImage-Part1-150x150 (1)','','inherit','open','closed','','jobimage-part1-150x150-1','','','2023-03-21 11:15:59','2023-03-21 11:15:59','',6325,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/JobImage-Part1-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14939,1,'2023-03-21 11:16:06','2023-03-21 11:16:06','','EgyptPillars1-215H-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','egyptpillars1-215h-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:16:06','2023-03-21 11:16:06','',6313,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/EgyptPillars1-215H-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14940,1,'2023-03-21 11:16:17','2023-03-21 11:16:17','Have you ever been angry and disappointed with God, or questioned His goodness in the midst of deep and dark struggles? Have you ever been so disappointed with God’s response to your prayers that you wanted to give Him a piece of your mind? After all, He knows our weakness and is big enough to take it, right? But, does God understanding our weakness give us the right to complain against Him? Moreover, can it ever be proper to complain against our Creator? Let’s see…\r\n\r\nHe Hears Our Cries\r\nGod is good. “His work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32:4). “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you” (Psalm 89:14). And in the end, “He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity” (Psalm 98:9). And from His love and care for His children, He calls us to cast all our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7). To Him we may cry in our troubles: “Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy” (Psalm 64:1). “I pour out my complaint before Him; I tell my trouble before Him” (Psalm 142:2). God welcomes our cries for help and understanding. He responds with great compassion to our needs and weaknesses:\r\n<blockquote>Which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9-11)</blockquote>\r\nAsking the Right Question\r\nOur question, then, does not concern our freedom to cast our cares upon God or to bring to Him our cries and complaints, for Christ purchased for us that marvelous privilege. Our question concerns the right to complain against God, or to question His wisdom, goodness, or righteousness in His governing the affairs of the world and our personal circumstances. Put another way, can we as created, sustained, and dependent on God for all things complain against a God of perfect power and goodness, who always acts in perfect righteousness, who always desires the best for His people? Or, can finite and fallen people sit in judgment over the source and standard of all righteousness?\r\n\r\nHave You Considered Job?\r\nTo answer our question, we turn to Job. After all, if anyone had the right to complain against God it was Job. Used by God as an example to His adversary the Devil, Job suffered because He was righteous. And suffer he did, with great personal loss and intense, prolonged physical suffering.\r\n\r\nEarly in his agony, Job did well in accepting God’s rule and righteousness: “Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times” (Job 9:2-3). But, time and pain wore on. And as we all know how our physical suffering challenges our spiritual demeanor, so Job eventually resorted to criticizing God for causing and ignoring his plight. He sought an audience with God to argue his case against Him.\r\n<blockquote>Does it seem good to you to oppress, to despise the work of your hands and favor the designs of the wicked? Have you eyes of flesh? Do you see as man sees? Are your days as the days of man, or your years as a man\\\'s years, that you seek out my iniquity and search for my sin, although you know that I am not guilty, and there is none to deliver out of your hand? Your hands fashioned and made me, and now you have destroyed me altogether (Job 10:3-8).</blockquote>\r\nJob’s complaints not only increased as his suffering lingered, he turned to questioning the righteousness, knowledge, and goodness of God. He even went so far as to imply that God favored the wicked! But was Job right in this? And even if he was not, would God not grant Job the right to his accusations given the depth of Job’s agony and his ignorance of the cause of his suffering? Our answer will come in Part Two.\r\n\r\nScripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Is It Okay to Complain Against God? (Part One)','','inherit','closed','closed','','6325-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:16:17','2023-03-21 11:16:17','',6325,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14940',0,'revision','',0),(14941,1,'2023-03-21 11:16:34','2023-03-21 11:16:34','','Crown-Tapestry-Front-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','crown-tapestry-front-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:16:34','2023-03-21 11:16:34','',5983,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Crown-Tapestry-Front-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14942,1,'2023-03-21 11:16:41','2023-03-21 11:16:41','','EgyptPillars1-215H-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','egyptpillars1-215h-150x150-2','','','2023-03-21 11:16:41','2023-03-21 11:16:41','',5983,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/EgyptPillars1-215H-150x150-2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14943,1,'2023-03-21 11:16:43','2023-03-21 11:16:43','God knows everything and always does what is best with what He knows. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (Romans 11:33). Moreover, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). God is generous with His gifts and gives us ample opportunities to gain wisdom, though often in ways we might not prefer or recognize. And so in our growing pains, we can sometimes resort to questioning God’s wisdom in the very trials He uses to impart it.\r\n\r\nCreated and dependent on God for all things, however, we are unqualified to question God’s wisdom in our circumstances. We lack the complete knowledge of how our troubles fit into the greater tapestry of God’s perfect purposes. We know that “all things work together for our good” and that God uses difficulties to not only give us wisdom, but to refine our faith and increase our hope. Yet, our insight and objectivity are often greater looking back than when we struggle in the pain and confusion of a trial.\r\n\r\nThink About Joseph\r\nFor example, when Joseph found himself in difficult circumstances, did he immediately understand God’s purpose when his brothers sold him into slavery, or when he was thrown in prison on the false charges of a wicked woman? Was Joseph thrilled with his future at that point? Scripture does not tell us, though personal experience gives reason to doubt that he was <em>entirely</em> thrilled. But, whatever his faith and attitude might have been, Joseph did not fully understand God’s wisdom in sending him to Egypt until he became second to Pharaoh and the savior of Jacob and the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph came to understand that what his brothers meant for evil, “God meant for good” (Genesis 50:20). And from our present vantage point, we <em>now</em> know that God used Joseph to save the family line through which the Messiah would come.\r\n\r\nThink About Moses\r\nRaised in Pharaoh’s court, Moses lived in the splendor of the best Egypt had to offer. Yet the would-be deliverer was forced to run for his life after he murdered an Egyptian. As a fugitive, Moses was reduced to tending sheep in the wilderness, a far cry from his glory in Egypt. In fact, ten years later he was <em>still</em> tending sheep. Twenty years later? More sheep. Thirty years? Still more sheep. Not until after forty years did God command the now reluctant deliverer to return to Egypt.\r\n\r\nWhen, then, did Moses understand God’s wisdom in his wilderness experience? After ten, twenty, or thirty years? More likely Moses did not understand God’s wisdom in his forty year detour until he led an even larger flock of sheep out of Egypt into the wilderness for forty more years, with sheep that could complain, worship idols, and throw stones. His earlier wilderness training prepared him well, but he likely did not understand the value or God’s purpose in his education as a shepherd until he had to put it to use.\r\n\r\nThink About the Road to Golgotha\r\nConsider the mourners lining the road to Golgotha. How many understood God’s purpose in Christ’s painful journey to the cross? How many knew that His suffering was the greatest display of God’s glory and the means of their own salvation and exaltation? Looking back, when the clouds cleared and the tomb lay empty, many would come to understand God’s purpose in it all. Yet, few, if any, grasped the importance and meaning of what they observed that day.\r\n\r\nWhen all is said and done, God has given us all we need to trust His perfect wisdom in Scripture, in the testimony of His creation, and most clearly in the person and saving work of Jesus Christ. So when the day grows dark and the arrows begin to fly, we need not wait for hindsight to trust Him. God’s wisdom is always perfect in our imperfect circumstances.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','God’s Perfect Wisdom in Our Imperfect Circumstances','','inherit','closed','closed','','5983-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:16:43','2023-03-21 11:16:43','',5983,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14943',0,'revision','',0),(14944,1,'2023-03-21 11:17:23','2023-03-21 11:17:23','','Jennie_Augusta_Brownscombe_-_Detail_image_of_The_First_Thanksgiving_-_1914-150x150 (1)','','inherit','open','closed','','jennie_augusta_brownscombe_-_detail_image_of_the_first_thanksgiving_-_1914-150x150-1','','','2023-03-21 11:17:23','2023-03-21 11:17:23','',6313,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Jennie_Augusta_Brownscombe_-_Detail_image_of_The_First_Thanksgiving_-_1914-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14945,1,'2023-03-21 11:17:36','2023-03-21 11:17:36','<h5>By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation.</h5>\r\nWhereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”\r\n\r\nNow therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be—That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks—for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation—for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war—for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed—for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted—for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.\r\n\r\nAnd also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions—to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually—to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed—to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord—To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us—and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.\r\n\r\nGiven under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.\r\n\r\n<strong>George Washington</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrom: “Thanksgiving Proclamation, 3 October 1789,” Founders Online, National Archives (<a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"//founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0091\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0091</a> [last update: 2015-09-29]). Source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 4, 8 September 1789 – 15 January 1790, ed. Dorothy Twohig. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1993, pp. 131–132.\r\n\r\nImage Credit: <a title=\"\\&quot;Jennie\" href=\"//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AThanksgiving-Brownscombe.jpg\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">Jennie Augusta Brownscombe (1850-1936) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons, The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth, 1914, Pilgrim Hall Museum, Plymouth, Massachusetts</a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;Jennie\" href=\"//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennie_Augusta_Brownscombe\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennie_Augusta_Brownscombe</a>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','A Thanksgiving Proclamation','','inherit','closed','closed','','6313-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:17:36','2023-03-21 11:17:36','',6313,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14945',0,'revision','',0),(14946,1,'2023-03-21 11:18:25','2023-03-21 11:18:25','Surprising and Vital Support\nLife is tough and even tougher when answers escape us in the darkness of our circumstances and understanding. But, in a surprising twist of biblical reasoning, our limitations provide the means to cope with life’s trials and tribulations. Few truths of Scripture are more difficult to accept than our complete dependence on God for knowledge and truth, yet few are more important. Given the infinite excellence of God’s perfections and who we are in relationship to Him, humble acceptance of our limited perspective and knowledge is not only necessary and appropriate, it supplies the ground for a soul-soothing response to profound suffering and evil.\n\nTrust in the God Who Knows\nFaith in the face of great problems does not ultimately come from specific answers to every difficult question (though God has provided many specific answers in Scripture). If it did, we would need the infinite knowledge of God for a proper faith in every circumstance. Our perspective is often earthly and short-sighted, while we lack the comprehensive and eternal perspective from which to properly view all things. Our peace, however, comes not from knowing every solution for every problem and mystery, but from trust in the goodness and excellence of the One who does. In the perfect character of God lies our comfort and rest. Here, as elsewhere, we are strong when we are weak (2 Corinthians 12:10).\n\nA Flawless Weave and Weaver\nOne of the more moving testimonies of our need to trust in God’s sovereign rule over our life comes from the experience of Corrie ten Boom. The narrator of the virtual tour of the Corrie ten Boom Museum tells the story of how Corrie, in her ministry after the war, would carry with her a piece of blue cloth to illustrate how Christians should view life’s difficulties [1]. A survivor of the Ravensbruck concentration camp, Corrie knew difficulties. One side of the cloth displayed a delicate and beautiful embroidered image, while the backside revealed a chaotic jumble of different colored threads of no distinct pattern. In her talks with people she would hold up and show the backside of the cloth, giving the impression that she had held up the wrong side of the embroidery. She would then ask, “Does God always grant us what we ask for in prayer?” After a brief pause, answering, “Not always. Sometimes He says no. That is because God knows what we do not know. God knows all. Look at this piece of embroidery, the wrong side is chaos. But look at the beautiful picture on the other side, the right side.” Corrie would then turn the cloth over to reveal a skillfully embroidered crown, “symbolizing our crown of eternal life.” It was a beautiful image, made with threads of many different colors and overlaid with pearls. She would then quote the following poem:\n<blockquote>My life is but a weaving, between my God and me,\nI do not choose the colors, He worketh steadily,\nOft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride,\nForget He sees the upper, and I the underside.\nNot till the loom is silent, and shuttles cease to fly,\nWill God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.\nThe dark threads are as needful in the Weaver’s skillful hand,\nAs the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned. [2]</blockquote>\nPerfected in Weakness Until We See the Other Side\nOur past, present and future circumstances lie in God’s hands. With the Apostle Paul and our fellow saints in the present age, we can say with hope and assurance, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). All sorrow and suffering must be seen in light of the brevity of life and endless eternity, the excellence of Christ and the extent to which He went to remedy evil, God’s perfect wisdom in ordering our life and the world, and our <em>profoundly limited human perspective</em>. In God we trust as we look forward to the day when we will see our skillful Weaver face to face, when the “upper side” of His flawless purpose and plan is unfolded before us. Until then, God’s grace is sufficient, for we are strong when His “power is perfected” in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10).\n\n[1] The entire tour can be found at <a title=\"\\&quot;ten\" href=\"//www.tenboom.com/en/\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">http://www.tenboom.com/en/</a>. The particular account of the embroidered cloth told here is located in section #18 of the tour diagram.\n[2] From Corrie ten Boom, <em>Tramp for the Lord</em> (Fort Washington, PA; Old Tappan, NJ: Christian Literature Crusade and Fleming H. Revell Company, 1974), 12. Credit is gratefully acknowledged to Grant Colfax Tullar for “My Life Is Like a Weaving.”\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\n<div>\n\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\n\n</div>\n<!--end table-text cell-->\n\n</div>\n<!--end modal window-->','How Darkness and Weakness Become Our Strength','','inherit','closed','closed','','5626-autosave-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:18:25','2023-03-21 11:18:25','',5626,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14946',0,'revision','',0),(14947,1,'2023-03-21 11:18:26','2023-03-21 11:18:26','','Crown-Tapestry-Front-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','crown-tapestry-front-150x150-2','','','2023-03-21 11:18:26','2023-03-21 11:18:26','',5626,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Crown-Tapestry-Front-150x150-2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14948,1,'2023-03-21 11:18:28','2023-03-21 11:18:28','Surprising and Vital Support\r\nLife is tough and even tougher when answers escape us in the darkness of our circumstances and understanding. But, in a surprising twist of biblical reasoning, our limitations provide the means to cope with life’s trials and tribulations. Few truths of Scripture are more difficult to accept than our complete dependence on God for knowledge and truth, yet few are more important. Given the infinite excellence of God’s perfections and who we are in relationship to Him, humble acceptance of our limited perspective and knowledge is not only necessary and appropriate, it supplies the ground for a soul-soothing response to profound suffering and evil.\r\n\r\nTrust in the God Who Knows\r\nFaith in the face of great problems does not ultimately come from specific answers to every difficult question (though God has provided many specific answers in Scripture). If it did, we would need the infinite knowledge of God for a proper faith in every circumstance. Our perspective is often earthly and short-sighted, while we lack the comprehensive and eternal perspective from which to properly view all things. Our peace, however, comes not from knowing every solution for every problem and mystery, but from trust in the goodness and excellence of the One who does. In the perfect character of God lies our comfort and rest. Here, as elsewhere, we are strong when we are weak (2 Corinthians 12:10).\r\n\r\nA Flawless Weave and Weaver\r\nOne of the more moving testimonies of our need to trust in God’s sovereign rule over our life comes from the experience of Corrie ten Boom. The narrator of the virtual tour of the Corrie ten Boom Museum tells the story of how Corrie, in her ministry after the war, would carry with her a piece of blue cloth to illustrate how Christians should view life’s difficulties [1]. A survivor of the Ravensbruck concentration camp, Corrie knew difficulties. One side of the cloth displayed a delicate and beautiful embroidered image, while the backside revealed a chaotic jumble of different colored threads of no distinct pattern. In her talks with people she would hold up and show the backside of the cloth, giving the impression that she had held up the wrong side of the embroidery. She would then ask, “Does God always grant us what we ask for in prayer?” After a brief pause, answering, “Not always. Sometimes He says no. That is because God knows what we do not know. God knows all. Look at this piece of embroidery, the wrong side is chaos. But look at the beautiful picture on the other side, the right side.” Corrie would then turn the cloth over to reveal a skillfully embroidered crown, “symbolizing our crown of eternal life.” It was a beautiful image, made with threads of many different colors and overlaid with pearls. She would then quote the following poem:\r\n<blockquote>My life is but a weaving, between my God and me,\r\nI do not choose the colors, He worketh steadily,\r\nOft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride,\r\nForget He sees the upper, and I the underside.\r\nNot till the loom is silent, and shuttles cease to fly,\r\nWill God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.\r\nThe dark threads are as needful in the Weaver’s skillful hand,\r\nAs the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned. [2]</blockquote>\r\nPerfected in Weakness Until We See the Other Side\r\nOur past, present and future circumstances lie in God’s hands. With the Apostle Paul and our fellow saints in the present age, we can say with hope and assurance, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). All sorrow and suffering must be seen in light of the brevity of life and endless eternity, the excellence of Christ and the extent to which He went to remedy evil, God’s perfect wisdom in ordering our life and the world, and our <em>profoundly limited human perspective</em>. In God we trust as we look forward to the day when we will see our skillful Weaver face to face, when the “upper side” of His flawless purpose and plan is unfolded before us. Until then, God’s grace is sufficient, for we are strong when His “power is perfected” in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10).\r\n\r\n[1] The entire tour can be found at <a title=\"\\&quot;ten\" href=\"//www.tenboom.com/en/\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">http://www.tenboom.com/en/</a>. The particular account of the embroidered cloth told here is located in section #18 of the tour diagram.\r\n[2] From Corrie ten Boom, <em>Tramp for the Lord</em> (Fort Washington, PA; Old Tappan, NJ: Christian Literature Crusade and Fleming H. Revell Company, 1974), 12. Credit is gratefully acknowledged to Grant Colfax Tullar for “My Life Is Like a Weaving.”\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','How Darkness and Weakness Become Our Strength','','inherit','closed','closed','','5626-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:18:28','2023-03-21 11:18:28','',5626,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14948',0,'revision','',0),(14949,1,'2023-03-21 11:18:53','2023-03-21 11:18:53','','Rose-and-trash-215H-150x150 (1)','','inherit','open','closed','','rose-and-trash-215h-150x150-1','','','2023-03-21 11:18:53','2023-03-21 11:18:53','',5166,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Rose-and-trash-215H-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14950,1,'2023-03-21 11:18:56','2023-03-21 11:18:56','<em>\\\"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.\\\" (Philippians 4:8 NAS).</em>\r\n\r\nWe have been redeemed in Christ, and yet we live in a sin-darkened world, including the darkness of the sin that remains in our hearts. And as iniquity abounds and surrounds us, we can sometimes lose sight of the source of our life and joy. In this marvelous verse we have a cure for two common errors into which we can fall in our response to corruption in ourselves and others.\r\n\r\nA Balancing Act\r\nFaithfulness to Christ requires us to expose and resist evil and the unseemly. Much of the New Testament was written to confront error, and the Gospel itself exposes and opposes all other worldviews as false and eternally destructive. Indeed, we are called to “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 3). And as this necessary task can be sorrowful and painful, we should support those who faithfully attend to it. Evil destroys. Souls are at stake.\r\n\r\nAt the same time, and often with the best intentions, we can stumble into dwelling on “whatever is false, whatever is dishonorable, whatever is wrong, whatever is impure, whatever is unlovely, whatever is of ill repute or inferior, or worthy of blame.” In this we not only quench our joy in Christ, but induce others to reject every good and miss the power and goodness of God in a fallen world.\r\n\r\nThe Distortions of the Cynic and Constant Critic\r\nGod’s flowers among the rubbish and ruins of a fallen world are marvelous, but we sometimes miss their beauty. For instance, the hardened cynic magnifies the corruption in the flowers, while the constant critic stares at the garbage. The cynic downplays or denies the possibility of the honorable and excellent, while the constant critic ignores them.\r\n\r\nThe cynic often has an acute sense of error and claims a realistic view of life. Yet God and His work are the ultimate reality. A right view of the world sees evil in its proper place, a foe to be opposed, but a defeated and temporary blot on God’s eternal timeline that will soon be banished forever. The cynic misses that God saved us to share and rejoice in the display of His excellence. God does marvelous things with flawed people in a depraved world.\r\n\r\nSimilarly, while the constant critic may follow the Apostles, in-part, by exposing and refuting error, such is not our <em>ultimate</em> source of joy and faith. Christ exposed and refuted error, but His greatest work was the display of His glory in the redemption of unworthy sinners. He rectified evil by His infinite excellence. Thus God “has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3 NAS).\r\n\r\nLight Makes Right\r\nFurther, the best cure for the bad and beggarly is the good and glorious. Evil is overcome with good. When God’s infinite excellence shines before the world, sin is exposed as disgusting and destructive, while the worldly things that so captivate our attention appear weak and worthless. (When weaning people from junk food, it helps to give them a taste of something better.) The brightest light that brings the greatest blessing also brings the greatest discernment and correction. The brighter the light, the greater the sight of the ugliness of evil, and the greater will be the dissipation of the darkness. Discernment comes from knowledge of the glorious, from a heart enthralled by God’s greatness.\r\n\r\nTherefore, while we expose and correct error, we maintain the priority of a Christ-centered focus on that which is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise. In so doing we will bless and be blessed, and participate in God’s ultimate purpose to display and communicate His glory. We will be useful in God’s hands as He delivers those captive to darkness by the light of His excellence.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Priority of Glory','','inherit','closed','closed','','5166-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:18:56','2023-03-21 11:18:56','',5166,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14950',0,'revision','',0),(14951,1,'2023-03-21 11:19:36','2023-03-21 11:19:36','','YellowCactusFlower-215Hwords-150x150 (1)','','inherit','open','closed','','yellowcactusflower-215hwords-150x150-1','','','2023-03-21 11:19:36','2023-03-21 11:19:36','',5108,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/YellowCactusFlower-215Hwords-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14952,1,'2023-03-21 11:19:39','2023-03-21 11:19:39','','RedSplotch-215Hwords-150x150 (1)','','inherit','open','closed','','redsplotch-215hwords-150x150-1','','','2023-03-21 11:19:39','2023-03-21 11:19:39','',4995,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/RedSplotch-215Hwords-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14953,1,'2023-03-21 11:19:44','2023-03-21 11:19:44','','BarbWireSunset-215Hwords2-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','barbwiresunset-215hwords2-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:19:44','2023-03-21 11:19:44','',4879,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/BarbWireSunset-215Hwords2-150x150-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(14954,1,'2023-03-21 11:19:47','2023-03-21 11:19:47','','RedJumpingManImageBlack-215Hwords-150x150 (1)','','inherit','open','closed','','redjumpingmanimageblack-215hwords-150x150-1','','','2023-03-21 11:19:47','2023-03-21 11:19:47','',4934,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/RedJumpingManImageBlack-215Hwords-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14955,1,'2023-03-21 11:19:49','2023-03-21 11:19:49','','IsThereAGodCloudsSky-215H-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','isthereagodcloudssky-215h-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:19:49','2023-03-21 11:19:49','',4968,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IsThereAGodCloudsSky-215H-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14956,1,'2023-03-21 11:19:53','2023-03-21 11:19:53','We come to our fourth and last post on the relationship of good and evil. Scripture clearly teaches that God displayed His glory in the person and saving work of Christ. In fact, nowhere is God’s glory more clearly seen than in Christ. Does it follow, then, that evil is necessary for God to display His glory? After all, Christ displayed His glory by saving <em>sinners</em>. To answer this important question, we need to distinguish between two entirely different things, namely, God bringing good from evil, and God doing evil that good may result. The former is true while the latter is blasphemy.\r\n\r\nAbsolute Independence or Dependence on Evil?\r\nTo begin, God’s glory as dependent on evil makes God dependent on that which is most contrary to His character to accomplish His purpose to display His glory. Put another way, it says that God is independent and needs nothing, <em>except evil</em>; He <em>needs evil</em> to accomplish His will. After all, God displays His infinite glory <em>by saving evil people</em>. Yet, again, we must distinguish between God bringing good from evil and God doing evil to produce good.\r\n\r\nEvil for Good or Good from Evil?\r\nChrist displayed God’s infinite excellence by bringing infinite good from infinite evil. Yet, Scripture strongly condemns those who say “let us do evil that good may come” (Romans 3:8). God is perfectly righteous and cannot do moral evil for any reason. “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4 ESV).\r\n\r\nA Holy Mercy and Sovereignty\r\nImagine God <em>unjustly</em> condemning billions to eternal suffering to display His goodness to a few. The thought is repugnant in light of God as holy and righteous. “As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezekiel 33:11). Does a mass murderer display goodness by sparing a few, or does someone beating an innocent animal display his good character by dressing the wounds? Are you impressed with such “goodness”? Is this really God’s glory? In attempts to understand God’s sovereignty and holiness in light of the existence of evil in the world, we should always remember that God’s sovereign rule is a holy rule; God’s foreordination of all things is a holy foreordination. God’s holiness makes His power and rule good and beautiful. Satan’s power is evil and ugly precisely because it is unholy.\r\n\r\nA Guilty God and Upside-down Gospel?\r\nMoreover, if God does moral evil to produce good He would be guilty of that which He condemns in others; His critics and despisers would be correct in their accusations against Him. Christ’s redeeming work would be a mockery of God’s excellence if He suffered for that which God is blamable, produced by God’s dependence on evil. The Gospel would be turned on its head and the glory of God tainted beyond repair. Satan’s ongoing blasphemies would have merit and Adam and Eve would have been correct in affirming the serpent’s lies. God commanded Adam and Eve to not eat of the tree lest they die. But did God secretly want them to sin and die, along with the billions Adam represented? Was the serpent correct in calling God disingenuous with malicious motives in His command to not eat of the tree? The thought is blasphemous. Are we really to doubt God’s word as Satan would have us do? May it never be!\r\n\r\nMystery and Perfect Righteousness\r\nIn the end, the refusal to accept mystery in light of God’s perfect excellence creates great problems and leads to a denial of God’s perfections. In Christ we have God’s glory on vivid display, including His holiness, righteousness, and infinite hatred of evil. Christ endured infinite suffering that God might be just in justifying the ungodly (Romans 3:21-31). God could not compromise His perfect justice one iota to save a single soul. He upheld His righteousness in saving sinners at infinite cost to Himself. Therefore, God has provided all we need to know His perfect character. We can rest in His infinite goodness, while speculation beyond what He has revealed will lead us astray.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Does God Require Evil to Display His Glory?','','inherit','closed','closed','','5108-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:19:53','2023-03-21 11:19:53','',5108,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14956',0,'revision','',0),(14957,1,'2023-03-21 11:20:03','2023-03-21 11:20:03','Is the existence and knowledge of moral evil necessary for the knowledge of good? And if so, would that not easily explain how evil exists in a universe created by a holy God of infinite power who both hates evil and could have prevented it? Let’s see…\r\n\r\nGood Food in the Garden\r\nGoing back to the Garden of Eden, did Adam and Eve need to know the taste of rotten food to know the food was delicious? Can you appreciate steak or apple pie without tasting dirt or steamed okra? We can all appreciate a good back scratch without stubbing a toe or getting hit by a truck. And while we can take good things for granted and better appreciate our blessings when we lose them, it does not follow that we can’t appreciate good things without knowing or experiencing their opposite. We certainly can.\r\n\r\nKnowing Good Before Going Bad\r\nIf Adam and Eve could not have known good until they knew evil, they could not have known God prior to their sin. God is good, yet Adam and Eve knew God personally and lovingly prior to their sin. And it seems contrary to the entire witness of Scripture that if Adam and Eve had obeyed and been confirmed in eternal life that they could not have known God as good, with whom they would dwell in a loving relationship for eternity. If they could not know good, they could not know that which defines God’s character and therefore could not have known and loved Him.\r\n\r\nEvil Helps Nothing\r\nMoreover, Adam, Eve, their descendants, and the world were not improved by that which is contrary to God and eternally destructive. Sin kills and destroys. But if knowing good requires knowing evil, the entrance of sin was a good thing that improved everyone’s situation. Of course, God can bring good, even infinite good from sin, but that does not say that good requires sin.\r\n\r\nTriune Good Without Evil\r\nAlso, knowledge of evil was never needed among the persons of the Trinity for each person to know and love the goodness of the others prior to creation. But if evil were necessary for the knowledge of good, then evil would have been necessary for the persons of the Trinity to know good, an impossibility. God has never needed anything, least of all evil. Yet, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have existed forever in perfect goodness and knowledge, even prior to creation when evil did not exist. God never needs evil to properly know good. Perhaps God does not need evil to know goodness, but people do? But we will know God’s goodness in heaven where evil will not exist and “the former shall not be remembered, nor come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17).\r\n\r\nGod Can Do What He Pleases\r\nAdditionally, the idea that evil is required to know good implies that God is unable to create beings capable of knowing and loving Him apart from that which He hates. Like the false claim that God is too high to communicate with human language, this debases God as unable to communicate His excellence to His creatures without the assistance of that which is most contrary to Him. God would no longer be independent, but dependent on His worst enemy to accomplish His will. Evil would be redefined as that which brings about the greatest good, accomplishing what God could not do without it, requiring a wholesale redefinition of how Scripture explains evil and the attributes of God. On the contrary, God in His infinity, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and wisdom, can do whatever He pleases without limitations. He needs nothing to accomplish His perfect will, least of all moral evil.\r\n\r\nNext Up: Does God Require Evil to Display His Glory?\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Is Evil Required to Know Good?','','inherit','closed','closed','','4995-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:20:03','2023-03-21 11:20:03','',4995,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14957',0,'revision','',0),(14958,1,'2023-03-21 11:20:10','2023-03-21 11:20:10','The option to choose evil as necessary for God to create beings with a free will is sometimes said to explain why evil exists in a world created by a holy God of infinite power. At first glance, it looks like a reasonable explanation for the existence of evil. But, is moral evil as necessary for free will a biblical idea?\r\n\r\nGod’s Perfect Freedom\r\nTo begin, God is infinitely and eternally free and has never had the option or desire to choose evil. Yet, God is the freest being in and beyond the universe. Also, we will never be more free than in heaven where no evil or the option to choose it will exist. Heaven would be ruined by the presence or possibility of evil.\r\n\r\nSet Free in Christ\r\nAlso, Christ set us free from the power, penalty, and ultimately the presence of moral evil; He did not set us free to have the option to choose it. “Having been set free from sin, [we] have become slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:18 ESV). In Christ we have become “partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4). Truly, “If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Our situation has been infinitely improved in Christ, but not by the option to choose evil.\r\n\r\nMore Freedom or More Problems?\r\nThe choice of evil not only cannot improve one’s situation, it reduces true and biblical freedom. For instance, imagine yourself in a nice restaurant. You open the menu and see many excellent and tasty choices. What you don’t see on the menu are cat box pizza, rotten eggs, or dirt casserole. Now ask yourself, were you cheated? Would you complain to the waiter that your menu excludes pizza sprinkled with used kitty litter? I hope not. Would you be more free with the option of disgusting choices on the menu? Does the choice of something that will taste terrible, make you sick, or even kill you improve your situation or make you more free? Absolutely not.\r\n\r\nTrue Freedom\r\nBiblical freedom involves the ability to choose the best thing, not the ability to choose evil or that which hurts us and dishonors God. Our situation is not improved one iota by the option to choose things that destroy us and others. When Christ set us free, He empowered us to choose the things which benefit us and others the most, to choose the best of the best—to choose Christ. We were born in sin with the ability to choose evil, but Christ set us free to choose Him. We look forward to the day when evil is banished forever, and the infinitely good and free God dwells with His children made holy and free in Christ. There we will freely love and be loved by the infinitely excellent and lovable God. We shall be like Christ and we shall be free.\r\n\r\n<em>Next Up: Is Evil Required to Know Good?</em>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Does Free Will Require the Option to Choose Evil?','','inherit','closed','closed','','4934-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:20:10','2023-03-21 11:20:10','',4934,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14958',0,'revision','',0),(14959,1,'2023-03-21 11:20:16','2023-03-21 11:20:16','<em>First of a four-part series on the relationship of good and evil.</em><br style=\"0height: 2em\\&quot;;\" />God Is the Only Standard of Good\nNo standard of goodness exists apart from God, and no standard of evil can exist without reference to God’s goodness. God cannot be subject to a standard of good outside Himself, and He alone embodies and defines good, against whom all good is measured. Moral evil exists as contrary and opposed to God’s perfect goodness. But, is moral evil the equal opposite of good?\n\nEvil Began in the Heart\nEvil began as a choice of the will in created beings, with its first appearance in Lucifer. God, however, can never be the source or cause of evil. In fact, moral evil cannot and does not exist apart from the will of created beings. We describe and discuss it as a concept or principle, but it only exists as a choice of the will. It involves more than the mere absence of good because it includes an active opposition to the goodness and authority of God.\n\nEvil Is Temporary\nMoreover, the days of moral evil are numbered and will end when God destroys its unredeemed promoters forever. The new heavens and earth will be without sin and its curse, while the saints will dwell sinless with God for eternity.\n<blockquote>For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress (Isaiah 65:17-19 ESV).</blockquote>\nAs the bride of Christ, we long for the “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him” (Revelation 22:3 ESV). Evil, then, is a temporary stain in the universe that can never be co-equal with good. It brings terrible destruction to its subjects, but only exists as a weak and beggarly thing in God’s grand scheme of things. Those who live and die in its service will be shattered to terrify no more. Satan, the source of all evil, will have his eternal torment in the unquenchable lake of fire.\n\nGood Is Eternal\nGood will have no such fate as an eternal perfection of God, who lives without beginning or end. Good existed eternally prior to God creating the heavens, earth, angels, and people, and will continue forever. Perfect and everlasting righteousness will reign forevermore while evil will long be forgotten. “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17 ESV). When we are tempted to despair at the increase and influence of the evil disturber of peace and goodness, we do well to remember that his days are short and judgment sure. In the meantime, he unwittingly strengthens our faith and pushes us to Christ, for “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NAS). We should be thankful that we will soon dwell in the light of God’s perfect holiness, with nothing to disrupt our view and experience of His infinite beauty, least of all, evil. —Adapted from Craig Biehl, <em>God the Reason</em> (Carpenter’s Son Publishing, 2015).\n\n<em>Next Up: Does Free Will Require the Option to Choose Evil?</em>\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\n<div>\n\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\n\n</div>\n<!--end table-text cell-->\n\n</div>\n<!--end modal window-->','Is Evil the Equal Opposite of Good?','','inherit','closed','closed','','4879-autosave-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:20:16','2023-03-21 11:20:16','',4879,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14959',0,'revision','',0),(14960,1,'2023-03-21 11:20:18','2023-03-21 11:20:18','<em>First of a four-part series on the relationship of good and evil.</em><br style=\"0height: 2em\\&quot;;\" />God Is the Only Standard of Good\r\nNo standard of goodness exists apart from God, and no standard of evil can exist without reference to God’s goodness. God cannot be subject to a standard of good outside Himself, and He alone embodies and defines good, against whom all good is measured. Moral evil exists as contrary and opposed to God’s perfect goodness. But, is moral evil the equal opposite of good?\r\n\r\nEvil Began in the Heart\r\nEvil began as a choice of the will in created beings, with its first appearance in Lucifer. God, however, can never be the source or cause of evil. In fact, moral evil cannot and does not exist apart from the will of created beings. We describe and discuss it as a concept or principle, but it only exists as a choice of the will. It involves more than the mere absence of good because it includes an active opposition to the goodness and authority of God.\r\n\r\nEvil Is Temporary\r\nMoreover, the days of moral evil are numbered and will end when God destroys its unredeemed promoters forever. The new heavens and earth will be without sin and its curse, while the saints will dwell sinless with God for eternity.\r\n<blockquote>For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress (Isaiah 65:17-19 ESV).</blockquote>\r\nAs the bride of Christ, we long for the “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him” (Revelation 22:3 ESV). Evil, then, is a temporary stain in the universe that can never be co-equal with good. It brings terrible destruction to its subjects, but only exists as a weak and beggarly thing in God’s grand scheme of things. Those who live and die in its service will be shattered to terrify no more. Satan, the source of all evil, will have his eternal torment in the unquenchable lake of fire.\r\n\r\nGood Is Eternal\r\nGood will have no such fate as an eternal perfection of God, who lives without beginning or end. Good existed eternally prior to God creating the heavens, earth, angels, and people, and will continue forever. Perfect and everlasting righteousness will reign forevermore while evil will long be forgotten. “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17 ESV). When we are tempted to despair at the increase and influence of the evil disturber of peace and goodness, we do well to remember that his days are short and judgment sure. In the meantime, he unwittingly strengthens our faith and pushes us to Christ, for “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NAS). We should be thankful that we will soon dwell in the light of God’s perfect holiness, with nothing to disrupt our view and experience of His infinite beauty, least of all, evil. —Adapted from Craig Biehl, <em>God the Reason</em> (Carpenter’s Son Publishing, 2015).\r\n\r\n<em>Next Up: Does Free Will Require the Option to Choose Evil?</em>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Is Evil the Equal Opposite of Good?','','inherit','closed','closed','','4879-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:20:18','2023-03-21 11:20:18','',4879,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14960',0,'revision','',0),(14961,1,'2023-03-21 11:20:21','2023-03-21 11:20:21','A recent Barna research study confirmed what many of us already knew – our society is becoming more inclined to dismiss the concept of a Creator. The study showed that one in four un-churched adults are either atheists or agnostics. Twenty years ago, 18 percent of skeptics were under 30 years old. Today that proportion has nearly doubled to 34 percent—nearly one-quarter of the total U.S. population. Additionally, they found that two decades ago, one-third of skeptics were college graduates, but today half of the group has a college degree. In 1993 only 16 percent of atheists and agnostics were women. By 2013 that figure had nearly tripled to 43 percent. Obviously, our society is drifting more towards an atheistic worldview. For Christians, this means we need to be prepared to answer objections to our faith. Here are five reasons that atheists cannot know that God does not exist:\n\n1. They don’t know what is in their neighbor’s garage without looking inside.\nIn other words, they have human limitations. God’s rebuke of Job makes the point rather clearly: \\\"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me! Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding” (Job 38:2-4). The right answer is humble silence. One must have knowledge and experience of ultimate realities to speak with authority about ultimate realties.\n\nFor instance, what atheist has ever been beyond the three or four dimensions of our existence to understand a 5th, 10th, or 100th dimension? We are well-equipped to learn a great many things about the universe we experience with our senses, but woefully ill-equipped to know of things beyond. To claim such knowledge without divine revelation is fanciful.\n\nSimilarly, what atheist has ever been to the other side of the universe? With all of our advances in scientific knowledge, we still can’t measure it, let alone know what is beyond it. Scripture tells us that God is greater than the universe He created and that He cannot be subject to its limitations. How, then, could anyone know that God does not exist beyond the universe as we know it? In fact, atheists would need knowledge of everything in the universe and beyond to legitimately know that God does not exist.\n\n2. God is infinite spirit.\nHe is <em>“immortal, invisible,” and “alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see”</em> (1 Timothy 1:17; 6:16). To deny God’s existence because we haven’t seen Him says nothing about the actual existence of God. When a Soviet cosmonaut looked out of the window of his space capsule and declared that he did not see God, he said nothing of scientific value regarding the existence of God. (Someone noted at the time that had he opened the window he would have seen God immediately.) The fact that the universe is designed and ordered with uniform and universal physical laws allowed him to be in space in the first place, contrary to random chance. Without God, no capsule or cosmonaut would have been possible.\n\n3. Human opinion cannot serve as the ultimate standard of what God can be or do.\nHow can a good God exist with so much suffering in the world? How can God make the sun stand still in the sky? How can a man live in a whale for three days, or be born of a virgin? Many such questions confront the believer, the majority of which disappear in the face of a God whose infinite power cannot be limited by the properties of the universe He created and sustains. But beyond the obvious answers, many difficult theological mysteries face our finite and fallen understanding. And why not? If we could understand everything about an infinite God and His universe we would be God.\n\nMoreover, to deny truths taught by Scripture about God and His works because we cannot understand them, or because they go beyond what we know of “natural laws” says, in effect, that what I cannot understand cannot be true. It makes the finite and fallen understanding of people the ultimate standard of what God can be or do. But as we noted above, people who do not know the contents of their neighbor’s garage, or have never been beyond the universe or their three or four dimensions of existence cannot legitimately make their personal opinion the standard of truth concerning ultimate realities.\n\n4. The universe is not built or operating according to random chance.\nIn denying God’s existence, the atheist leaves time and chance as the principle behind the universe. Yet, all material and energy in the universe operate according fixed and universal laws. In fact, no language, truth, knowledge, science, scientist, or atheist would be possible in a random chance universe.\n\nFor the sake of argument, assume that someone could exist with the necessary and ordered functions to view things in a random chance universe. Nothing could be known or said to be true of anything because nothing would have fixed characteristics. We know the meaning of “dog” and “tree” because dogs and trees have certain constant properties belonging to dogs and trees. But the terms would be meaningless if everything randomly changes from one moment to the next. Nothing could be said about anything. How can you do science when the scientist, the lab, and everything else are constantly changing? The atheist could not exist to argue that God does not exist.\n\nOf course, our universe is not like this. We have knowledge, language, and do science. We build things because the elements we discover and manipulate will have the same properties tomorrow as today. No one lives their life according to a universe built and operating according to random chance, regardless of their explanation of the origin of life and the universe. Everyone lives assuming an ordered reality that operates according fixed and universal laws, expecting that the floor will not disappear from under them as they eat their dinner of well-ordered food. Atheists do not live as if their worldview were actually true.\n\nIn the end, the universe as we know it would be impossible without God. We can only discuss His existence because He exists.\n\n5. Life is required to produce life, and the impersonal cannot produce the personal.\nI recently viewed a short video clip of a brilliant inventor who claims to create “new forms of life” from PVC pipe. His “creatures” reflect the genius of their maker as the breeze powers them to walk along the beach. (No telling what he could have done with a good set of Legos.) His desire is that his creations “live on” after his death. Yet, despite their brilliant design, they cannot think, communicate, love, reproduce or argue against the existence of the engineer that made them. They are not life.\n\nLife makes life after its kind. Our engineer could have children to live on after he dies, but even with his great skill he could not mold plastic or any other inanimate material into life. Babies come from a mom and dad that were once babies that came from a mom and dad. Chickens come from eggs laid by chickens that were once eggs, while plants come from seeds that came from plants that were once seeds, ad infinitum (apart from God). Even the building blocks of life come from life that created them but could not exist without them. This closed loop of life can only exist because God first created life. In the same way, the personal cannot come from the impersonal. Energy and non-living stuff simply cannot create a soul, consciousness, conscience, thought, love, etc. A personal God of infinite power, however, can do so easily.\n\nAnd so with all the designed and ordered brain power and resources of the world, scientists have yet to create from scratch a single cell, let alone a blade of grass, bug, or anything else that can remotely be called life. Yet the “simple” cell is more sophisticated than anything the collective genius of mankind has ever produced. And with a trillion or so atoms organized to form a cell, and a trillion or so cells cooperating and communicating to make and reproduce a person, including consciousness and every other trait of life, aimless encounters of somehow-existing material and energy is neither a scientific nor reasonable explanation for life.\n\nAtheists are certainly entitled to their opinions about God’s existence. But opinions they are, and those contrary to the nature of reality. In the end, atheists are just as limited as everyone else. Apart from God’s revelation, they can only venture a guess as to what an infinite God could be or do, and that while the beauty, design, and order of the universe scream the genius and power of God.\n\n<em>Craig Biehl received his ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary, and PhD in Systematic Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books including the newly-released The Box: Answering the Faith of Unbelief, and God the Reason: How Infinite Excellence Gives Unbreakable Faith. Craig and his wife Angelica enjoy ministering with patients and staff at a local convalescent and hospice center near their home in Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.PilgrimsRock.com.</em>\n\n<a href=\"\\&quot;#openModalbpcta\\&quot;\"><strong> Click here to download a PDF of this article. </strong></a>\n\n<a title=\"\\&quot;5\" href=\"//www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/5-reasons-atheists-can-t-know-that-god-does-not-exist.html\\&quot;\" target=\"\\&quot;_blank\\&quot;\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the article on www.crosswalk.com</a>\n\n<!-- 2 column image and text IMAGE LEFT TEXT RIGHT main PAGES layout -->\n<div id=\"\\&quot;pagewrap2cplrm\\&quot;\">\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<section id=\"\\&quot;left2cplrm\\&quot;\"><a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/products/booksbycraigbiehl/god-the-reason/\\&quot;\"><img class=\"\\&quot;aligncenter\\&quot;\" src=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/God-the-Reason-Front-Cover-180H-2pxwGrey-Borderc.jpg\\&quot;\" alt=\"\\&quot;God\" width=\"\\&quot;120\\&quot;\" height=\"\\&quot;180\\&quot;\" /></a></section><section id=\"\\&quot;right2cplrm\\&quot;\">© 2015 Craig Biehl, Adapted from Craig Biehl, <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/products/booksbycraigbiehl/god-the-reason/\\&quot;\"><strong><em>God the Reason: How Infinite Excellence Gives Unbreakable Faith</em></strong></a>, Carpenter’s Son Publishing, 2015.</section>&nbsp;\n\n</div>\n<!--end of code for 2 column mobile responsive layout from http://codepen.io/Cheesetoast/pen/KFAaq-->\n\n<!--Modal Window Blog Post PDF CTA-Opt-in Code-->\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\n<div>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a title=\"\\&quot;Pilgrim\\\'s\" href=\"\\&quot;https://www.pilgrimsrock.com/2015/09/5-reasons-atheists-cant-know-that-god-does-not-exist/\\&quot;\"><img class=\"\\&quot;aligncenter\" src=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IsThereAGodCloudsSky-215H.jpg\\&quot;\" alt=\"\\&quot;Is\" width=\"\\&quot;215\\&quot;\" height=\"\\&quot;215\\&quot;\" /></a>\n<a class=\"\\&quot;close\\&quot;\" title=\"\\&quot;Close\\&quot;\" href=\"\\&quot;#close\\&quot;\">X</a>\n<h2>Yes, I Want a PDF of \\\"5 Reasons Atheists Can’t Know that God Does Not Exist\\\"</h2>\n[contact-form-7 id=\\\"6655\\\" title=\\\"Blog PDF - 5 Reasons Atheists Can’t Know that God Does Not Exist\\\"]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>We respect your privacy. We\\\'ll NEVER sell, rent, or share your email address. That\\\'s more than a policy, it\\\'s our guarantee!</strong>\n\n</div>\n<!--end table-text cell-->\n\n</div>\n<!--end modal window-->','5 Reasons Atheists Can\\\'t Know that God Does Not Exist','','inherit','closed','closed','','4968-autosave-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:20:21','2023-03-21 11:20:21','',4968,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14961',0,'revision','',0),(14962,1,'2023-03-21 11:20:32','2023-03-21 11:20:32','A recent Barna research study confirmed what many of us already knew – our society is becoming more inclined to dismiss the concept of a Creator. The study showed that one in four un-churched adults are either atheists or agnostics. Twenty years ago, 18 percent of skeptics were under 30 years old. Today that proportion has nearly doubled to 34 percent—nearly one-quarter of the total U.S. population. Additionally, they found that two decades ago, one-third of skeptics were college graduates, but today half of the group has a college degree. In 1993 only 16 percent of atheists and agnostics were women. By 2013 that figure had nearly tripled to 43 percent. Obviously, our society is drifting more towards an atheistic worldview. For Christians, this means we need to be prepared to answer objections to our faith. Here are five reasons that atheists cannot know that God does not exist:\r\n\r\n1. They don’t know what is in their neighbor’s garage without looking inside.\r\nIn other words, they have human limitations. God’s rebuke of Job makes the point rather clearly: \\\"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me! Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding” (Job 38:2-4). The right answer is humble silence. One must have knowledge and experience of ultimate realities to speak with authority about ultimate realties.\r\n\r\nFor instance, what atheist has ever been beyond the three or four dimensions of our existence to understand a 5th, 10th, or 100th dimension? We are well-equipped to learn a great many things about the universe we experience with our senses, but woefully ill-equipped to know of things beyond. To claim such knowledge without divine revelation is fanciful.\r\n\r\nSimilarly, what atheist has ever been to the other side of the universe? With all of our advances in scientific knowledge, we still can’t measure it, let alone know what is beyond it. Scripture tells us that God is greater than the universe He created and that He cannot be subject to its limitations. How, then, could anyone know that God does not exist beyond the universe as we know it? In fact, atheists would need knowledge of everything in the universe and beyond to legitimately know that God does not exist.\r\n\r\n2. God is infinite spirit.\r\nHe is <em>“immortal, invisible,” and “alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see”</em> (1 Timothy 1:17; 6:16). To deny God’s existence because we haven’t seen Him says nothing about the actual existence of God. When a Soviet cosmonaut looked out of the window of his space capsule and declared that he did not see God, he said nothing of scientific value regarding the existence of God. (Someone noted at the time that had he opened the window he would have seen God immediately.) The fact that the universe is designed and ordered with uniform and universal physical laws allowed him to be in space in the first place, contrary to random chance. Without God, no capsule or cosmonaut would have been possible.\r\n\r\n3. Human opinion cannot serve as the ultimate standard of what God can be or do.\r\nHow can a good God exist with so much suffering in the world? How can God make the sun stand still in the sky? How can a man live in a whale for three days, or be born of a virgin? Many such questions confront the believer, the majority of which disappear in the face of a God whose infinite power cannot be limited by the properties of the universe He created and sustains. But beyond the obvious answers, many difficult theological mysteries face our finite and fallen understanding. And why not? If we could understand everything about an infinite God and His universe we would be God.\r\n\r\nMoreover, to deny truths taught by Scripture about God and His works because we cannot understand them, or because they go beyond what we know of “natural laws” says, in effect, that what I cannot understand cannot be true. It makes the finite and fallen understanding of people the ultimate standard of what God can be or do. But as we noted above, people who do not know the contents of their neighbor’s garage, or have never been beyond the universe or their three or four dimensions of existence cannot legitimately make their personal opinion the standard of truth concerning ultimate realities.\r\n\r\n4. The universe is not built or operating according to random chance.\r\nIn denying God’s existence, the atheist leaves time and chance as the principle behind the universe. Yet, all material and energy in the universe operate according fixed and universal laws. In fact, no language, truth, knowledge, science, scientist, or atheist would be possible in a random chance universe.\r\n\r\nFor the sake of argument, assume that someone could exist with the necessary and ordered functions to view things in a random chance universe. Nothing could be known or said to be true of anything because nothing would have fixed characteristics. We know the meaning of “dog” and “tree” because dogs and trees have certain constant properties belonging to dogs and trees. But the terms would be meaningless if everything randomly changes from one moment to the next. Nothing could be said about anything. How can you do science when the scientist, the lab, and everything else are constantly changing? The atheist could not exist to argue that God does not exist.\r\n\r\nOf course, our universe is not like this. We have knowledge, language, and do science. We build things because the elements we discover and manipulate will have the same properties tomorrow as today. No one lives their life according to a universe built and operating according to random chance, regardless of their explanation of the origin of life and the universe. Everyone lives assuming an ordered reality that operates according fixed and universal laws, expecting that the floor will not disappear from under them as they eat their dinner of well-ordered food. Atheists do not live as if their worldview were actually true.\r\n\r\nIn the end, the universe as we know it would be impossible without God. We can only discuss His existence because He exists.\r\n\r\n5. Life is required to produce life, and the impersonal cannot produce the personal.\r\nI recently viewed a short video clip of a brilliant inventor who claims to create “new forms of life” from PVC pipe. His “creatures” reflect the genius of their maker as the breeze powers them to walk along the beach. (No telling what he could have done with a good set of Legos.) His desire is that his creations “live on” after his death. Yet, despite their brilliant design, they cannot think, communicate, love, reproduce or argue against the existence of the engineer that made them. They are not life.\r\n\r\nLife makes life after its kind. Our engineer could have children to live on after he dies, but even with his great skill he could not mold plastic or any other inanimate material into life. Babies come from a mom and dad that were once babies that came from a mom and dad. Chickens come from eggs laid by chickens that were once eggs, while plants come from seeds that came from plants that were once seeds, ad infinitum (apart from God). Even the building blocks of life come from life that created them but could not exist without them. This closed loop of life can only exist because God first created life. In the same way, the personal cannot come from the impersonal. Energy and non-living stuff simply cannot create a soul, consciousness, conscience, thought, love, etc. A personal God of infinite power, however, can do so easily.\r\n\r\nAnd so with all the designed and ordered brain power and resources of the world, scientists have yet to create from scratch a single cell, let alone a blade of grass, bug, or anything else that can remotely be called life. Yet the “simple” cell is more sophisticated than anything the collective genius of mankind has ever produced. And with a trillion or so atoms organized to form a cell, and a trillion or so cells cooperating and communicating to make and reproduce a person, including consciousness and every other trait of life, aimless encounters of somehow-existing material and energy is neither a scientific nor reasonable explanation for life.\r\n\r\nAtheists are certainly entitled to their opinions about God’s existence. But opinions they are, and those contrary to the nature of reality. In the end, atheists are just as limited as everyone else. Apart from God’s revelation, they can only venture a guess as to what an infinite God could be or do, and that while the beauty, design, and order of the universe scream the genius and power of God.\r\n\r\n<em>Craig Biehl received his ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary, and PhD in Systematic Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books including the newly-released The Box: Answering the Faith of Unbelief, and God the Reason: How Infinite Excellence Gives Unbreakable Faith. Craig and his wife Angelica enjoy ministering with patients and staff at a local convalescent and hospice center near their home in Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.PilgrimsRock.com.</em>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','5 Reasons Atheists Can\\\'t Know that God Does Not Exist','','inherit','closed','closed','','4968-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:20:32','2023-03-21 11:20:32','',4968,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14962',0,'revision','',0),(14963,1,'2023-03-21 11:21:22','2023-03-21 11:21:22','','The-Myth-of-Faith-Versus-Reason-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','the-myth-of-faith-versus-reason-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:21:22','2023-03-21 11:21:22','',4964,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/The-Myth-of-Faith-Versus-Reason-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14964,1,'2023-03-21 11:21:27','2023-03-21 11:21:27','','Two-clowns-giving-high-five-how-to-refuse-a-bit-part-in-an-idiots-tale-275w-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','two-clowns-giving-high-five-how-to-refuse-a-bit-part-in-an-idiots-tale-275w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:21:27','2023-03-21 11:21:27','',4790,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Two-clowns-giving-high-five-how-to-refuse-a-bit-part-in-an-idiots-tale-275w-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14965,1,'2023-03-21 11:21:31','2023-03-21 11:21:31','','Wishing-Well-The-Wishful-Atheist-250W-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','wishing-well-the-wishful-atheist-250w-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:21:31','2023-03-21 11:21:31','',4642,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Wishing-Well-The-Wishful-Atheist-250W-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14966,1,'2023-03-21 11:21:31','2023-03-21 11:21:31','','Clouds-and-light-in-sky_small-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','clouds-and-light-in-sky_small-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:21:31','2023-03-21 11:21:31','',4649,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Clouds-and-light-in-sky_small-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14967,1,'2023-03-21 11:21:36','2023-03-21 11:21:36','','Nazi-German-Officers-Uniform-Pinterest-Adjusted-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','nazi-german-officers-uniform-pinterest-adjusted-150x150','','','2023-03-21 11:21:36','2023-03-21 11:21:36','',1910,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Nazi-German-Officers-Uniform-Pinterest-Adjusted-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(14968,1,'2023-03-21 11:21:39','2023-03-21 11:21:39','Are You Rattled or Ready?\r\nHave you ever been told, “you have faith but I trust reason and science”? Does the suggestion that you believe fairy tales while unbelievers stand on facts and solid intellectual ground bother you? Can you easily answer the claim and prepare your children to answer this and the many other sophisticated arguments of unbelief?\r\n\r\nWhat if the Opposite Is True?\r\nWhat if you could easily see that all such arguments are built on unreasonable blind faith, that your trust in the Word of the Creator and Sustainer of all things is reasonable and supported by every known fact in the universe? What if you could increase your joy, comfort, and faith in Christ and Scripture in the face of the most sophisticated attacks of unbelief? And, what if you could do this all without reading countless technical books? Well, you can.\r\n\r\nUsing simple language and illustrations, the <em>Unbreakable Faith</em> course and companion books <em>God the Reason</em> and <em>The Box</em> explore the amazing nature and implications of the infinite excellence of God’s perfections, exposing the unreasonable blind faith of unbelief while boosting your knowledge and love of God.\r\n\r\nEveryone Has Faith…in Something\r\nAll people reason by faith in an ultimate authority by which they interpret God and the universe. Atheists trust their own ability to interpret the world and answer ultimate questions about God and reality, while Christians trust God’s explanation of such things. Atheists reason by faith in themselves while believers reason by faith in God. Both use reason and both have faith. But who reasons rightly? And which object of faith can speak with authority and be trusted to answer ultimate questions about God, life, and the universe? Here lies the issue.\r\n\r\nWe Have Limits\r\nIf my atheist neighbor can’t know the contents of my garage without having a look, he can’t be trusted to explain the nature of an infinite God and His universe. God must tell us such things. And complete knowledge of the universe and beyond, or the omniscience of the God the atheist denies, is required to know that God does not exist. (For simple and fun examples of how to see and expose the unreasonable faith of unbelief, see <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/products/booksbycraigbiehl/the-box/download-free-ebook-the-box/\\&quot;\">The Box: Answering the Faith of Unbelief</a>.)\r\n\r\nA Rock and an Empty Place\r\nBelievers trust the One who created, sustains, and knows all things, who clearly displays His power and genius in the universe, who orders and sustains every law by which we do science (random chance produces no laws), whose moral law is written on every heart, whose goodness appears in every raindrop, flower, and morsel of food, who dwelt among us and suffered to display His perfect nature and purchase our eternal happiness. Believers trust the God who has personally and clearly explained His nature and works, including the ultimate nature of the universe He created and upholds. Atheists trust their opinions.\r\n\r\nNo God—No Science\r\nEvery scientific discovery affirms the genius and power of God. And speculation about God, as well as science, would be impossible in a random chance universe—no laws, language, truth, knowledge, logic, experiment, or scientist would be possible. Our world cannot exist apart from the personal and powerful God of Scripture. Whose faith, then, is reasonable?\r\n\r\nWant to Learn More?\r\nTo further your love and knowledge of God’s excellence, and increase your joy, comfort, and faith in Christ and Scripture, I would like to offer you a free chapters from The Box as my gift to you. <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"\\&quot;https://pilgrimsrock.com/products/booksbycraigbiehl/the-box/download-free-ebook-the-box/\\&quot;\">Click here</a> for your free chapters.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Myth of Faith Versus Reason','','inherit','closed','closed','','4964-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:21:39','2023-03-21 11:21:39','',4964,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14968',0,'revision','',0),(14969,1,'2023-03-21 11:21:46','2023-03-21 11:21:46','Two Paths\r\nBelievers travel on a “path of life” where “fullness of joy” abides “forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). Created and adored by a God of infinite excellence, our earthly delight in God’s goodness gives a small taste of the boundless love and happiness we will enjoy forever in our future home with God.\r\n\r\nThe journey of unbelief, however, takes a different road. Grasping a barren hope to a gloomy end, the godless life has been expressed as part of a tale “told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”; a “brief candle” on “the way to dusty death.”<a title=\"\\&quot;Shakespeare\" href=\"\\&quot;#_ftn1\\&quot;\">[1]</a> And while Macbeth spoke from personal anguish and loss, his words will haunt anyone willing to ponder a life without eternal significance. In them Shakespeare echoed Solomon’s view of earthly pursuits without God: “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4).\r\n\r\nThe Dividing Line\r\nThe line between insignificance, despair, and eternal death on the one hand and significance, joy, and eternal life on the other is drawn for us in the first four words of Scripture, “In the beginning God.” When God stands as the author and explanation of the universe, life becomes worthwhile, a gift to be treasured. When God is cast aside as mythical or unimportant, the words of evil Macbeth ring true and the world recedes into pointless absurdity. Apart from the God of Scripture, all life, meaning, design, beauty, language, knowledge, truth, and morality are impossible. “In the beginning God,” then, forms the proper starting point for right thinking and living. In the infinite excellence of the Maker and explanation of all things we have the answers to the deepest questions of life.\r\n\r\nLife, Truth, and Eternal Purpose\r\nScripture unfolds the great works of God from eternity past to eternity future in the new heavens and earth. In our relationship to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe we have life and meaning, while our trivial existence gains importance as part of God’s eternal purpose. From His love and grace we have forgiveness of sin and eternal life in Christ, in whom we possess all good things and the divine resources to resist the evil forces that would destroy us. Covered in His righteousness we will “stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy” (Jude 24). From God we have all truth and the ability to know truth; the basis for a proper understanding of God, ourselves, and His universe; and the sure foundation for joy, assurance, and unbreakable faith in the midst of an antagonistic culture of unbelief.\r\n\r\n<span id=\"\\&quot;ftn1\\&quot;\">[1] William Shakespeare, Macbeth. <em>The Complete Works of William Shakespeare</em>, accessed February 11, 2014, http://www.shakespeare.mit.edu/macbeth/macbeth.5.5.html, Act 5, Scene 5.</span>\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','How to Refuse a Bit Part in an Idiot’s Tale','','inherit','closed','closed','','4790-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:21:46','2023-03-21 11:21:46','',4790,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14969',0,'revision','',0),(14970,1,'2023-03-21 11:21:53','2023-03-21 11:21:53','As God is glorified in the display and communication of His holiness and happiness, and as that display and communication is by the grand medium of Christ in His redemptive work, so the saints’ happiness in heaven will be as participants in God’s ultimate purpose in viewing and loving Christ and His redemptive work. “The beatifical vision of God in heaven consists mostly in beholding the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, either in his work or in his person as appearing in the glorified human nature.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#_edn1\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_ednref1\\&quot;\">[1]</a> The saints will view God’s glory in Christ as “the image of the invisible God,” whose perfections shine forth most prominently in the acts and fruits of His redemptive work.<a href=\"\\&quot;#_edn2\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_ednref2\\&quot;\">[2]</a>  The souls of the saints in heaven will be “ravished” in beholding the “beauty and amiable excellency of Christ as appearing in his virtues,” in viewing the “height” and “sum” of His glory, “appearing in and by the exercise of dying love to them.” In viewing Christ “they see the transcendent greatness of his love shining forth in the same act that they see the transcendent greatness of his loveliness shining forth.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#_edn3\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_ednref3\\&quot;\">[3]</a>\r\n<blockquote>They see everything in Christ that tends to kindle and enflame love, and everything that tends to gratify love, and everything that tends to satisfy them: and that in the most clear and glorious manner, without any darkness or delusion, without any impediment or interruption.<a href=\"\\&quot;#_edn4\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_ednref4\\&quot;\">[4]</a></blockquote>\r\nWhat is seen by saints in their earthly body is mingled with darkness and the spiritual deformity of sin, but the vision of their “glorious redeemer,” the “Sun of righteousness,” will be seen “without clouds” and in full light in heaven.<a href=\"\\&quot;#_edn5\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_ednref5\\&quot;\">[5]</a>\r\n\r\nMoreover, the saints “have the additional pleasure of considering that this lovely virtue is imputed to them. ‘Tis the lovely robe, and robe of love, with which they are covered.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#_edn6\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_ednref6\\&quot;\">[6]</a> Thus the glory of Christ’s righteousness by which they are overwhelmed with joy is the righteousness in which they are covered, providing an additional basis of their great happiness in Christ.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\\&quot;#_ednref1\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_edn1\\&quot;\">[1]</a> M 1137, Jonathan Edwards, <em>The “Miscellanies,</em>” <em>833-1152</em>, ed. Amy Plantinga Pauw, vol. 20 of <em>The Works of Jonathan Edwards </em>(New Haven: Yale University Press, 2002), 515. See also “True Saints, When Absent from the Body, Are Present with the Lord,” Jonathan Edwards, <em>Sermons and Discourses, 1743-1758</em>, ed. Wilson H. Kimnach, vol. 25 of <em>The Works of Jonathan Edwards </em>(New Haven: Yale University Press, 2006). 238. Edwards included the view of the ongoing works of redemption on earth as viewed by the saints already in heaven as part of the happiness of the saints in heaven. See M 917 and M 1061, <em>Works </em>20:166, 429-30.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\\&quot;#_ednref2\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_edn2\\&quot;\">[2]</a> M 777, Jonathan Edwards, <em>The </em>“<em>Miscellanies,</em>” <em>501-832</em>, ed. Ava Chamberlain, vol. 18 of <em>The Works of Jonathan Edwards </em>(New Haven: Yale University Press, 2000), 431. See also M 1137, <em>Works </em>20:515.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\\&quot;#_ednref3\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_edn3\\&quot;\">[3]</a> M 791, <em>Works </em>18:494-5.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\\&quot;#_ednref4\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_edn4\\&quot;\">[4]</a> “True Saints, When Absent from the Body, Are Present with the Lord,” <em>Works </em>25:230.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\\&quot;#_ednref5\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_edn5\\&quot;\">[5]</a> Ibid., <em>Works </em>25:230-1.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\\&quot;#_ednref6\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_edn6\\&quot;\">[6]</a> M 791, <em>Works </em>18:495.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Overjoyed in Our Robe of Righteousness','','inherit','closed','closed','','4649-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:21:53','2023-03-21 11:21:53','',4649,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14970',0,'revision','',0),(14971,1,'2023-03-21 11:21:59','2023-03-21 11:21:59','High Ground or Thin Air?\r\nAtheists claim the high ground of reason and science while viewing Christian faith as blind and wishful thinking. But could the opposite be true? Could atheism be unreasonable wishful thinking, while Christianity is both reasonable and consistent with what we know of the universe?\r\n\r\nA Limited View\r\nWe begin by asking the question, what would an atheist need to know in order to know that God does not exist? Answer? Everything about everything in the universe and beyond. Infinite knowledge. In other words, the atheist would need to be God to deny His existence. Of course, people write books, teach at universities, and accomplish many marvelous things, but none are equipped to describe reality beyond our three or four dimensions or to know what inhabits the other side of the universe. Christians and atheists alike forget where they put their wallet, purse, or car keys, and can’t know the contents of their neighbor’s garage without having a look. How, then, can such limited people know that God does not exist, or what an infinite God can be or do? Apart from God’s revelation, our limitations render such claims meaningless.\r\n\r\nAn Unreasonable Standard\r\nNext, Atheists point to apparent contradictions in Scripture to deny the God of Scripture. But God infinitely exceeds our limited understanding. In fact, we could never know Him if He did not condescend to make Himself known. Our limitations before an infinite God make mystery reasonable and necessary. To say the God of Scripture cannot exist because I cannot understand or logically reconcile something in my mind presumes my limited understanding to be the ultimate standard of what God can or cannot be or do. Finite and fallen people are ill-equipped for such a lofty role. Scripture describes God as infinite Spirit and higher than the universe He created, whom no man has seen or can see (John 1:18; 1 Timothy 6:16). Arguments against God’s existence based on our limited experience and understanding are futile in the face of a God who transcends reality as we know it. He is not limited by what He created.\r\n\r\nWithout Excuse in a Sea of Evidence\r\nScripture tells us that all people know God in a way that leaves them without excuse for not worshipping or giving Him thanks (Romans 1:18-22). God’s power, genius, and goodness are displayed clearly in all things, including the stars, our conscience, and the food on our table. No one visits a bakery and denies the existence of a baker, uses a computer and denies the existence of a programmer, or sees a baby and denies the existence of a mother and father. Yet, atheists deny God while drowning in a sea of evidence.\r\n\r\nWillful Mystery\r\nWhy do they do this? They “suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18) because they do not like the implications of God as their maker. If God created and sustains them, apart from whom they have and could do nothing, then they owe God all love, honor, and obedience. They deny the obvious because they do not like where the evidence leads them. They refuse to deny their presumed independence and authority and reject the reality of their dependence on God for all things. As they love darkness and hate the light, they view God as a direct challenge to their love of sin and self-rule (John 3:19-20).\r\n\r\nWishful Thinking\r\nSo, unlike the Christian realist, the atheist suffers from wishful thinking. He imagines no heaven or hell, no ultimate judgment, and no God to whom he must humbly bow the knee. He devises what he could never know or determine. Yet, someday he will be confronted with reality as God has determined it to be, regardless of what he imagined it to be. The presumed omniscience of the atheist will be exposed as a denial of the obvious, from contempt for the One who gave him all good things, to whom he owes all things. It’s no wonder, then, that Scripture tells us: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1 NAS).\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','The Wishful Atheist','','inherit','closed','closed','','4642-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:21:59','2023-03-21 11:21:59','',4642,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14971',0,'revision','',0),(14972,1,'2023-03-21 11:22:06','2023-03-21 11:22:06','Shortly after her arrest and imprisonment for protecting Jews from the Nazi reign of terror, Corrie ten Boom met with Lieutenant Rahms, her pensive and troubled interrogator. He showed Corrie unusual kindness in his initial visits, though Corrie rightly suspected he was manipulating her to gain information about others involved in harboring Jews. Corrie spoke to the lieutenant about her ministry of preaching to the “feeble-minded” in what she called her “church for mentally retarded people” to which Lieutenant Rahms responded in typical Nazi fashion, “If you want converts, surely one normal person is worth all the half-wits in the world!” Nervous and contrite, Corrie ventured a reply, “The truth, Sir…is that God’s viewpoint is sometimes different from ours—so different that we could not even guess at it unless He had given us a Book which tells us such things.” Corrie “knew it was madness to talk this way to a Nazi officer,” but she continued. “In the Bible I learn that God values us not for our strength or our brains but simply because He has made us. Who knows, in His eyes a half-wit may be worth more than a watchmaker. Or—a lieutenant.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#_ftn1\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_ftnref1\\&quot;\">[1]</a>\r\n\r\nIn a later encounter, Corrie spoke to the lieutenant about the message of God’s Book. “It says…that a Light has come into this world, so that we need no longer walk in the dark. Is there darkness in your life, Lieutenant?” After a long silence, and in a surprising moment of candor, the officer admitted, “There is great darkness….I cannot bear the work I do here.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#_ftn2\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_ftnref2\\&quot;\">[2]</a>\r\n\r\nI do not know the fate of Lieutenant Rahms. We can hope that his earthly darkness drove him to flee from eternal darkness and embrace the Light of the World. Maybe we will see him in heaven. Or, sadly, like Pontius Pilate, maybe he traded justice and reverence for God for his short-term power and livelihood and became an eternal tragedy.\r\n\r\nMany participants in the Nazi reign of terror likely struggled with the evils with which Lieutenant Rahms struggled. Many made eye contact with the precious people who were dehumanized as apes by a worldview that saw Aryans as the apex of evolutionary progress. Most could not distinguish Jewish children from their own. Many saw the disproportionate accomplishments of Jews in society, contrary to the assertions of the propagandists. Yet they participated in the murder.\r\n\r\nWhat lives might have been spared the terror of the racist Aryanism if people were rightly treated as endowed with dignity, as created in the image of God. What concentration camps would never have been built and what trains would never have carried their priceless cargo if people acknowledged dependence on God for purpose, meaning, and a moral compass. What horrors might have been prevented if Nietzsche had bowed the knee to the “God of the weak” and had never penned his deadly philosophy. The Nazi god, the Aryan pinnacle of human evolution, was no god, with no ultimate standard of right and wrong, no ultimate accountability, and no ultimate consequences for evil behavior. As William Penn once said, “If we are not governed by God, then we will be ruled by tyrants.”<a href=\"\\&quot;#_ftn3\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_ftnref3\\&quot;\">[3]</a>\r\n\r\nMany were partners in the evils of the Holocaust, so beware—if you reject and ignore God’s moral compass, someone else will provide one for you…. And the prevailing winds will drive us where we never dreamed we would go.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\\&quot;#_ftnref1\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_ftn1\\&quot;\">[1]</a> Corrie ten Boom, <em>The Hiding Place</em> (Chosen Books, 1971; Bantam Books, 1974), 160.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\\&quot;#_ftnref2\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_ftn2\\&quot;\">[2]</a> Ibid., 161.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\\&quot;#_ftnref3\\&quot;\" name=\"\\&quot;_ftn3\\&quot;\">[3]</a> Schaeffer, <em>A Christian Manifesto</em>, rev. ed. (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1982), 34.\r\n<div id=\"\\&quot;openModalbpcta\\&quot;\" class=\"\\&quot;modalDialog\\&quot;\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title=\"\\&quot;God\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/\"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/\"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title=\"\\&quot;The\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/\"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title=\"\\&quot;Reading\" href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/\"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end table-text cell-->\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<!--end modal window-->','Corrie ten Boom Meets Lieutenant Rahms','','inherit','closed','closed','','1910-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:22:06','2023-03-21 11:22:06','',1910,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14972',0,'revision','',0),(14973,1,'2023-03-21 11:34:13','2023-03-21 11:34:13','','Blog','','inherit','closed','closed','','16-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:34:13','2023-03-21 11:34:13','',16,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14973',0,'revision','',0),(14974,1,'2023-03-21 11:34:13','2023-03-21 11:34:13','','Blog','','inherit','closed','closed','','16-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:34:13','2023-03-21 11:34:13','',16,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14974',0,'revision','',0),(14975,1,'2023-03-21 11:34:13','2023-03-21 11:34:13','<style>/*! elementor - v3.11.5 - 14-03-2023 */\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}</style><h1>Blog</h1>		\n			<style>/*! elementor - v3.11.5 - 14-03-2023 */\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#2c2c2c;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:\"\";border-bottom:0;flex-grow:1;border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}</style>		\n			<h6>from our experiance</h6>		\n			<h2>Check Out  Our Latest Blogs</h2>		\n		<p>Welcome to our blog! This is where we share our thoughts, insights, and experiences on various topics  Stay up-to-date with our blog We hope our content inspires and informs you, and we invite you to join the conversation by sharing your comments and feedback. Thank you for visiting!</p>		\n			<img src=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Depositphotos_58091741_L-300x300-1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\"><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/a-christmas-story-2/\"></a>\n            <h2><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/a-christmas-story-2/\">A Christmas Story</a></h2>\n                     December 21, 2021\n                <p>Once upon a time there was a beggar who lived in a shack. A beggar whose heart was so dark it could dull the glow of the brightest star in the heavens. He lived in Jerusalem. Perhaps you have heard of His splendor, His servants, His armies, gardens, and trees—every possible trapping and trinket to &hellip; A Christmas Story Read More &raquo;</p><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/a-christmas-story-2/\">Read More</a><img src=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/I_Voted_Sticker-150x150-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/vote-for-your-neighbor-2/\"></a>\n            <h2><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/vote-for-your-neighbor-2/\">Vote for Your Neighbor</a></h2>\n                     October 29, 2020\n                <p>Directly or indirectly, the policies enacted by the elected officials of local, state, and federal governments affect every aspect of our earthly lives, and the lives of our neighbors. Thus, elections provide believers significant, God-given opportunities to love their neighbors on a large scale. Who, then, is our neighbor? &nbsp; Our neighbor works hard to &hellip; Vote for Your Neighbor Read More &raquo;</p><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/vote-for-your-neighbor-2/\">Read More</a><img src=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/baggage-responsibility-display-300w-150x150-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/baggage-responsibility-display-gods-excellence/\"></a>\n            <h2><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/baggage-responsibility-display-gods-excellence/\">Baggage, Responsibility, and the Display of God’s Excellence</a></h2>\n                     February 7, 2019\n                <p>We all bear the weight of a boatload of baggage, things of our past that haunt us today. Perhaps you were born into a difficult family, neighborhood, or financial situation. Maybe you have faced severe disappointments or losses, the death of a son, daughter, mother, father, or friend. Perhaps you have been cheated or mistreated, &hellip; Baggage, Responsibility, and the Display of God’s Excellence Read More &raquo;</p><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/baggage-responsibility-display-gods-excellence/\">Read More</a><img src=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/creationist-prove-it-300W-150x150-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/hey-creationist-prove-it/\"></a>\n            <h2><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/hey-creationist-prove-it/\">Hey Creationist, Prove It!</a></h2>\n                     January 16, 2019\n                <p>Have you ever been asked by an evolutionist to prove your belief in Creationism? Have you ever been frustrated by the challenge? In a recent response to one of our videos someone confidently proclaimed that Creationism is refuted by two simple words: “prove it.” Done, slam dunk, end of argument. Should we tremble? Do we &hellip; Hey Creationist, Prove It! Read More &raquo;</p><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/hey-creationist-prove-it/\">Read More</a><img src=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/miracles-disprove-god-300w-150x150-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part25-miracles-disprove-god/\"></a>\n            <h2><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part25-miracles-disprove-god/\">The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 25): Doctrinal Disproofs: Do Miracles Disprove God? (Part B)</a></h2>\n                     September 26, 2018\n                <p>Last time we critiqued three claims that miracles do not imply God as their source. We turn now to a fourth and counter-intuitive argument, namely, miracles, or “permanently inexplicable” violations of “natural law,” not only do not imply God as their agent, but give positive evidence that the Christian God does not exist. Asserting what &hellip; The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 25): Doctrinal Disproofs: Do Miracles Disprove God? (Part B) Read More &raquo;</p><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part25-miracles-disprove-god/\">Read More</a><img src=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/miracles-300w-150x150-2.jpg\" alt=\"\"><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-24-miracles-disprove-god/\"></a>\n            <h2><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-24-miracles-disprove-god/\">The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 24): Doctrinal Disproofs: Do Miracles Disprove God? (Part A)</a></h2>\n                     September 19, 2018\n                <p>We continue our look at “doctrinal disproofs” of God with an analysis of a few interesting and unusual claims involving miracles. [1] Before presenting her own unique argument, the author briefly presents three claims that miracles do not necessarily imply God as their source. Viewing these as insufficient, she goes a step further and asserts &hellip; The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 24): Doctrinal Disproofs: Do Miracles Disprove God? (Part A) Read More &raquo;</p><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-24-miracles-disprove-god/\">Read More</a><img src=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/rational-irrational-human-thought-300w-150x150-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-23-some-review/\"></a>\n            <h2><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-23-some-review/\">The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 23): Some Review</a></h2>\n                     September 5, 2018\n                <p>Before we review a few key principles of the series thus far, allow me a brief mea culpa. Two weeks ago (in Part 21), I made the comment, “no one is without excuse” in speaking of the unbeliever’s accountability before God. Oops. It should have read, “all are without excuse.” A single word can make &hellip; The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 23): Some Review Read More &raquo;</p><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-23-some-review/\">Read More</a><img src=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/David_numbers_people-300w-150x150-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-22-doctrinal-disproofs-part-f/\"></a>\n            <h2><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-22-doctrinal-disproofs-part-f/\">The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 22): “Doctrinal Disproofs” (Part F)</a></h2>\n                     August 29, 2018\n                <p>As we continue our look at how human limitations render unreasonable the many arguments against God’s existence, we do well to remember that true wisdom begins with the “fear of the Lord” (Prov. 9:10), and admits its smallness and dependence on God for all things—including knowledge. The importance of grasping and applying this basic fact &hellip; The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 22): “Doctrinal Disproofs” (Part F) Read More &raquo;</p><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-22-doctrinal-disproofs-part-f/\">Read More</a><img src=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/speculations-about-hell-300w-150x150-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-21-doctrinal-disproofs-part-e/\"></a>\n            <h2><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-21-doctrinal-disproofs-part-e/\">The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 21): “Doctrinal Disproofs” (Part E)</a></h2>\n                     August 22, 2018\n                <p>Last time we observed that a double-standard for the Creator and His creatures is entirely appropriate and necessary. God as perfect in knowledge and holiness knows every aspect of every case before His throne of justice and always judges in perfect righteousness. The source of all good and moral standards in the universe cannot pervert &hellip; The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 21): “Doctrinal Disproofs” (Part E) Read More &raquo;</p><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-21-doctrinal-disproofs-part-e/\">Read More</a><img src=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/gods_knowledge-300w-150x150-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-20-doctrinal-disproofs-part-d/\"></a>\n            <h2><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-20-doctrinal-disproofs-part-d/\">The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 20): “Doctrinal Disproofs” (Part D)</a></h2>\n                     August 15, 2018\n                <p>Last time we observed that atheists lack the comprehensive knowledge to know that God is unjust in any death, infant or otherwise. God’s perspective is eternal. He knows everything about everything, including every heart and the positive or negative recompense of every soul in eternity. Apart from God’s revelation, and from our grossly limited and &hellip; The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 20): “Doctrinal Disproofs” (Part D) Read More &raquo;</p><a href=\"https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-human-limitations-of-unreasonable-atheism-part-20-doctrinal-disproofs-part-d/\">Read More</a>\n                <button id=\"post-nav-prev-2797644f\" disabled=\"true\"></button><button id=\"post-nav-next-2797644f\"></button>','Blog','','inherit','closed','closed','','16-revision-v1','','','2023-03-21 11:34:13','2023-03-21 11:34:13','',16,'https://pilgrimsrock.com.workshopanswer.com/?p=14975',0,'revision','',0),