Reasons for Faith
"The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." 2 Cor. 4:4
1. The universe shows intelligent design by it's infinite size, complex information systems, beauty, laws, and purpose. Only an infinite being of power and wisdom could create the universe out of nothing by sheer thought and will. It is increasingly recognized to be scientifically impossible to have this universe and creation through an explosion of hydrogen and random chance. The First and Second laws of Thermodynamics prove special creation...1st law =energy is neither created nor destroyed... Law 2= the universe is cooling off(entropy)=at some point in history the universe began from nothing.
2. Man is absolutely unique in all created beings. His capacity to love, create, choose, and worship the Creator is without equal. All created beings are genetically unique with massive amounts of information in their genetic make-up and definite limits to their variation i.e.micoevolution(DNA is mathematically impossible to self-create due to it's vast complexity and stereo chemistry). However, man shows special evidence of a unique spirit by his capacity to know and worship the Creator.
3. The Bible shows a unique revelation from the Creator to His creation - man. Scripture claims to be a literal and factual account of creation, subsequent fall, and ultimate redemption of man through Jesus Christ. Modern science has never disproved the Biblical accounts of the creation, fall, flood, miracles or resurrection of Christ. However, because creation leads to moral accountability to the Creator, many scientists today put their faith in the theoretical model of evolution and the religion of secular humanism. However, the best explanation for the universe, man, geologic record, languages,abstract thought and feeling, races, and good and evil, is still God's Word. Read books on scientific creationism for evidence of design & of possibly recent creation of the earth. (Especially A.E. Wilder-Smith & Henry Morris).
4. Jesus Christ is evidently the unique Creator - Redeemer who walked on this earth 2000 years ago. That Christ lived, performed countless miracles and wonders, was innocently crucified, and rose again from the dead in the flesh are perhaps the most solid facts of mankind's history. His fulfillment of prophecy as the unique Christ (Messiah) of God, claims and acts of Deity, and subsequent death and resurrection show the reality of the Creator and His love for mankind. Jesus Christ testified that His purpose in going to the cross was to pay the price for our rebellion to God's will and laws(sin). Our acceptance of this truth(in humble repentence and turning from sin)and personal relationship to Him as Lord of all establishes our acceptance to our Creator forever in eternity.
Pray this prayer if you sincerely want to have this relationship with God:
"Dear Lord God- Creator of the Universe- I confess I'm a sinner and that you created me for yourself and for your glory in holiness but I deserve your holy judgement for my sin has separated me from your glory. I pray that I might receive your forgiveness through your Son Jesus Christ by His shed blood and death on the cross for me. I accept Jesus as my Savior and Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to fill me and guide me all the days of my life. Amen."
In Oveido Spain in Oct. 2000 scientists decided that the Shroud of Turin must be authentic after all. This decision came after examining another ancient artifact- an obscure relic called the Sudarium of Oveido-reportedly the other burial cloth of Christ's reported in the Gospel of John. This burial face cloth has a dramatic history involving the Knights Templar, Moors, El Cid and and has been in Spain since 631 AD and traceable to the time of the crucifixion of Christ. The evidence based on facial impression,blood stains & type,pollen,and other forensic evidence are that the cloth covered the face of the same tortured man as the one in the image on the Shroud (only removed before burial). If that's the case..how can the Shroud be from the 13th Century?
While nothing can prove that Christ was God Almighty to those who choose not to believe...the evidence of the bodily resurrection of Christ on the Shroud is dramatic. Perhaps it may be an encouragement to those who's hearts are open to the gift that Christ was to a lost and dying world.
Recent update Oct '06- Latest scientific findings show shroud to be authentic as to the date, place, and as much as possible identity of Jesus Christ. While science deals in trying to uncover facts- "truth" is out of it's realm as facts can be intrepreted in many ways. The truth of the shroud ultimately rests as does the rest of the Christian faith- in an area that transcends reason...
Noah's Ark Found?
(June 29) - Texas archaeologists believe they may have located the remains of Noah's Ark in Iran's Elburz mountain range. "I can't imagine what it could be if it is not the Ark," said Arch Bonnema of the Bible Archaeology Search and Exploration (B.A.S.E) Institute, a Christian archeology organization dedicated to looking for biblical artifacts. Bonnema and the other B.A.S.E. Institute members hiked for seven hours in the mountains northwest of Tehran, climbing 13,000 feet before making the apparent discovery. "We got up to this object, nestled in the side of a hill," said Robert Cornuke, a member of the B.A.S.E. Institute. "We found something that has my heart skipping a beat." At first, they didn't dare to hope it was the biblical boat. "It wasn't impressive at first," Cornuke said. "Certainly didn't think it to be Noah's Ark. But when we got close, we were amazed. It looked similar to wood." In addition, some B.A.SE. members say, their discovery didn't look very distinctive. "It looked like the deck of any boat today," Bonnema said. The Bible places the Ark in the mountains of Ararat, a mountain range theologians believe spans hundreds of miles, which the team says is consistent with their find in Iran. The Bible also describes the Ark's dimensions as being 300 cubits by 50 cubits -- about the size of a small aircraft carrier. The B.A.S.E. Institute's discovery is similar in size and scale. "It is provocative to think that this could be the lost ark of Noah," Cornuke said. Throughout history, people have been searching for the Ark to help prove God's existence. "There's this idea, if we can prove that the Ark existed then we can prove that the story existed, and more importantly, we can prove that God existed," said Bruce Feiler, author of "Where God Was Born." The B.A.S.E institute hopes the physical evidence they've brought back from Iran will hold the answer to this enduring mystery. "People will always be looking for it, always be skeptical, always be excited of the search," Cornuke said. "But I think we found something here that's very notable." The B.A.S.E. Institute's samples are being examined at labs in Texas and Florida. B.A.S.E officials concede that there would be no way to conclusively prove that their finding is actually Noah's Ark. So the hunt goes on. The biggest hurdle in identifying Noah's Ark comes down to "gopher wood." The Bible says the Ark was made of gopher wood but no one knows what it is. ABC News' Chris Cuomo reported this story for "Good Morning America."
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