God's Plan for Women

The United States recently celebrated "Mothers Day". It is a noble thought to set aside one day a year to honor our mothers. However, it is what we should do every day. Have you ever thought where we would be without them?

Over the past several decades it seems that women have been having difficulty determining their proper place in society. When I was growing up most of the women in our rural area were homemakers. Yes there were the nurses, secretaries and grocery clerks but most were content to be keepers of the home.

Then along came the "Women's Liberation Movement" then the "Equal Rights Amendment" and then what is known as the "Feminist Movement". It seems that some women were no longer content to stay at home, cook, clean, sew, care for the children and their husbands. These wanted to be liberated from domestic duties and to be paid in money for their work.

What brought about this change? Some attribute it to "the war effort" during WWII when men were fighting and workers were needed in the factories to make the supplies for the soldiers. Personally I see that as a factor but not the biggest reason.

It is my observation that the biggest reason could be described as the movement away from God. I remember as a child when virtually no businesses were open on Sunday with the exception of the occasional gas station or restaurant. Wednesday night was church night so no school activities were scheduled. Today we have the occasional business that is closed on Sunday and school activities and every other kind happening on Wednesday night.

All of the above brings us to the scriptures. I want to suggest that the plan which God has for women is described in the following passages: Proverbs 31:10ff, Titus 2:3-5, and I Peter 3:7. There are other passages as well but these sum up very well the position and work of women in God's wisdom.

I would like to hear from you what these passages teach in regards to our subject. What role does God have for women?

How many covenants?

How many covenants? Well, I confess, it was a poorly worded question or series of questions.

There are several different covenants mentioned in the scriptures. The first was made with Noah and his seed after him. God said in Genesis 9:15 "and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. " It is then understood that this covenant would last forever. It was not with a specific group of people but with all his seed and all animals. This of course refers to God's promise not to destroy all living creatures with water again. The rainbow is the token of this covenant.

The scriptures then tell us of a covenant God made with Abram in Genesis 15:18 to give them the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates. This was but one of a series of covenants made with Abraham.

We then learn of what is called in scriptures "the first covenant" (Hebrews 8:7). It was given to Moses and the children of Israel on the day God led them out of the land of Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:2ff). This covenant was given to a specific people and their descendants exclusive of all others. As you may remember there were some 600,000 men who came out of Egypt as well as women and children.

It is obvious that this was not the first covenant that God made with man. It was however the first covenant made with a nation! It was the first covenant that established a nation. Therefore it can truthfully be called the "first covenant".

From the New Testament we learn that there were two covenants which God made with man. The first was at Mt. Sinai and with the children of Israel as we have just learned. The second was made with any who would follow Jesus after his death. (Hebrews 8-9).

Which is to govern our lives today? The second of course! It became binding at the death of the maker on the cross. We must understand that the second applies today and not the first. The second is different than the first. It has different terms and conditions, different pattern of worship and different rewards. We mustn't try to mix the two!

What do you think?

Covenants

In our discussion of the Sabbath, the subject of covenants came up from time to time.

It is vital to a proper understanding of the Word of God to know what the Bible says in answer to the question "How many covenants were made by God with man?" It has been suggested by some of the participants in our discussion that the "Bible is its own best interpreter". If this is indeed true, and I firmly believe it is, then we must allow it to do so. When we do it is then possible to "rightly divide the scriptures" as Paul admonished the young preacher Timothy. (II Timothy 2:15)

So put on your search lights and see how the Bible answers these questions.
1. How many covenants were made by God with man?
2. When and with whom were they made?
3. What covenant is in force today?

As always give scriptural support for your answers. Happy searching.

The Sabbath - in Conclusion

It is my hope and prayer that you have found this study of the sabbath to be both interesting and informative. It certainly has been for me.

As promised I shall draw some conclusions from our search of the scriptural teaching on the sabbath. Our focus was on command to "keep the sabbath" and so we limited ourselves to the first five books of the Old Testament, the books of the law.

It is interesting to note that the first time the sabbath is mentioned is about the time the Israelites arrived at Mt. Sinai under the leadership of Moses. (Exodus 16:23) The last mention of the sabbath in the books of the law gives the clear reason for its institution. (Deuteronomy 5:15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.) One is forced then, by the scriptures, to understand that the sabbath was instituted to assist the Israelites in remembering their servitude in Egypt and their deliverance.

What we have learned.
1. According to the scriptures the sabbath observance began shortly after Israel's departure from Egypt.
2. Its purpose was to cause the Israelites to remember how God led them out of bondage in Egypt according to the scriptures.
3. The sabbath was part of the covenant made with the children of Israel living at the time of the exodus and after as the scriptures clearly state.
4. In order to keep the sabbath properly the Israelites were prohibited from doing certain things and required to make certain sacrifices according to the scriptures.
5. The weekly observance was to be on the seventh day of the week but not all sabbaths were on the seventh day of the week !

Please keep in mind, dear reader, that these observations are not my opinion but rather clear statements from the scriptures. Each of these has been noted in previous posts with the proper references noted.

If this is not what you have been taught then it might be good to reexamine the teaching you have received. If I am incorrect please, please show me how and where!

Meanwhile are there other things you think of that we should note from our study?

The Sabbath #4

Our discussion of the sabbath left off at the end of Numbers. In the next book, Deuteronomy, the sabbath is mentioned only 3 times. Remember that this book is a recapitulation of the Law. It was given to the people near the end of the life of Moses.

Deuteronomy 5 contains the only mentions of the sabbath. Here is the text for your convenience. Deuteronomy 5:12-15 Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy, as Jehovah thy God commanded thee. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and Jehovah thy God brought thee out thence by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm: therefore Jehovah thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day. In this passage of scripture we learn three things about the sabbath.
1. Observance of the sabbath was commanded by God.
2. The sabbath was to be observed on the seventh day of the week.
3. This is to me the most interesting point. The sabbath observance was commanded for a remembrance of God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Notice again verse 15: And thou shalt remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and Jehovah thy God brought thee out thence by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm: therefore Jehovah thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

As we are now to the end of the books of the Law, the commands concerning the sabbath are finished. The remaining references to the sabbath in the Old Testament have to do with points of time, reminders of the commands, and what was actually done in keeping the sabbath.

In the next post I will draw some conclusions from this study of the sabbath. Meanwhile, what conclusions have you reached?

The Sabbath part 3

We have been looking at all the mentions of the sabbath in scriptures. As we left off we were near the end of Leviticus. It is there that we pick up our study.

In Leviticus 24:8 the sabbath is given as the time for an offering of bread. This offering was to be made every sabbath. Then in Leviticus 25:2, 4, 6 the term is used of the year of the sabbath. This was to happen every 7th year from the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai. It was to be a time to give the land a rest.

Please keep in mind that we are looking only at the singular term sabbath. If you are looking in your concordance you may also find it used in the plural form. We are however limiting our study to the singular.

The next mention of the sabbath is found in Numbers 15:32 where a man was found gathering sticks on the sabbath day. Remember now that the command to observe the sabbath included the order;"thou shalt not do any work". This fellow in the above mentioned passage failed to properly observe the sabbath. The verses following tell us of the consequences, he was stoned to death.

God in His infinite wisdom gave instructions on how to properly observe the sabbath. To refresh our memories notice the following scriptures. Exodus 20:8-11 "thou shalt not do any work"; Exodus 31:15 "Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death."
Exodus 35:3 "Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day"; Leviticus 24:5-8 "And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth parts of an ephah shall be in one cake. And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before Jehovah. And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto Jehovah. Every sabbath day he shall set it in order before Jehovah continually; it is on the behalf of the children of Israel, an everlasting covenant". While this may not be a complete list of things that observing the sabbath entailed, it should be enough to demonstrate at least part of what God expects of those who would keep the sabbath according to the 10 commandments.

In Numbers 28:9-10 the sabbath is again mentioned. This time it specifies specific sacrifices required to observe the sabbath properly. Modern day sabbatarians would object saying that this was part of the "ceremonial law" and that law is no longer binding upon us.

Is it not reasonable to understand that God is specifying what He expects of those who keep the sabbath? Did not the Israelites need instruction on how to keep His commands? Does God give commands and then leave it up to us on how to observe them properly?

The Sabbath part 2

We left our study of the sabbath referencing Exodus 31:16-17 and noting the "perpetual covenant" with the children of Israel. The next mention is found in Exodus 35:2-3 where it is noted as a holy day, a sabbath of solemn rest unto God and no fire was to be kindled.

The sabbath is again mentioned in Leviticus 16:31 in connection with the day of atonement for Israel. It is here called a "statute for ever". Next mentioned in Leviticus 23:3 where it is called a sabbath of solemn rest, a sabbath of the lord. It was to be a day of holy convocation and no work. It is mentioned again in this same chapter in verses 11, 15, 16 but is simply a reference point for counting time.

Again in Leviticus 23:24 it is mentioned as a "memorial of blowing trumpets, a holy convocation" and also in verse 32 it is mentioned 2 times. Then in verse 36 it is again mentioned 2 times. These references in the latter part of the chapter are in connection with the day of atonement.

Please keep in mind that all these references are in the KJV. There is something peculiar about these references in Leviticus 16 and the latter part of chapter 23 which I have never heard modern day sabbatarians discuss. I am sure they have some explanation. The question then is "can you tell me what is peculiar about these references to the sabbath?

The Sabbath

I want to take a moment before I get into the next subject to remind our readers of our purpose for this blog. The following is taken from the description "It is our intent to ask questions, answer questions and carry on a friendly discussion of subjects pertinent to the Christian and the Bible. We will use the Bible as the authority to establish right and wrong and expect those who participate in the discussion to do the same." I wish to emphasise friendly discussion and also that the Bible is our final authority in these matters. We do allow comments from those who may disagree with our teaching and comments. However we do not allow character attacks from anyone, this is a friendly forum. We may ask for more information, scriptural support, or we may directly challenge your statements and you are free to do the same.

The sabbath has been the subject of much controversy for a long time. There are those in the religious world that say that the Sabbath is still binding today, others say the Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday under the New Testament, and yet others affirm that the Sabbath was set aside by the Law of Christ. As divided as the religious world is today there may be even yet other beliefs which are held concerning the Sabbath.

While it is good to know what beliefs are held and why, our purpose in this blog is to consider what the Bible has to say as it is THE authority. So what does the Bible say about the Sabbath?

The word Sabbath in the KJV occurs 137 times. The first of these is in Exodus 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. The inspired record tells us that Israel has just recently left Egypt and are now in the Wilderness of Sin on their way to Mt. Sinai. From the context we learn that the Sabbath was the seventh day of the week. It was also to be a Holy Day unto the Lord. The term sabbath is used 3 more times in this chapter (vs. 25, 26 and 29). The Sabbath day did not become codified until the Law of Moses was given as recorded in Exodus 20 (see verse 8, also 10, 11). After chapter 20 the sabbath is not mentioned again until chapter 31. At this time Moses is still on the Mt. receiving the Law from God. In Exodus 31:16-17 it is stated that the Sabbath was a perpetual covenant with the "children of Israel".

This shall serve as the basis for our study on the Sabbath. What else can we learn from the scriptures on this important topic?

God Bless America

Recently I heard talk show host Steve Deace go on a tirade on God Bless America. The gist of this rant was the question of "How can we ask and expect God to bless this country when we as a country have abandoned His ways?" This is a good question! While this nation was founded upon christian principles it has since abandoned many of them. We then have the gall to ask our God to bless us! Mr. Deace suggested very strongly that the USA should ask for forgiveness rather than His blessings.

While I agree with the above assesment I think that something very important has been left out. It is something which must preceed the request for forgiveness. For now I will leave it to you to offer your answers of what it should be.

What does America need to do in order to seek God's forgiveness and ask His blessings?

Outstanding scriptures

As we read through the scriptures a certain passage will seemingly reach out and grab our attention. We may have read it a number of times before and not taken note of it. Such happened recently with me.

In reading the prophet Micah I noticed the following passages: Micah 1:4 And the mountains shall be melted under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, as waters that are poured down a steep place. What an interesting word picture which we readily understand.

It seems that much of Micah's message is filled with "doom and gloom" there are two more items in the last chapter that offer hope and build our faith. Notice Micah 7:7-10 But as for me, I will look unto Jehovah; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, Jehovah will be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of Jehovah, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. Then mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her who said unto me, Where is Jehovah thy God? Mine eyes shall see my desire upon her; now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets. Here Micah expresses his faith in God and his willingness to trust in Him.

Then as the book closes notice:Micah 7:18-20 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in lovingkindness. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the lovingkindness to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old. Here he praises God and offers hope to his hearers.

I would like to encourage you to read the entire message of Micah and see what I am speaking of. Then please tell me what has "grabbed" you recently in the scriptures.

How do I value?

People value many different things. The value of anything is relative to our sense of how important it is to us. Picasso was a very famous artist. Some value his paintings greatly being willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for one. Personally I would rather have a Norman Rockwell print. From this it should be obvious that even if I could afford a Picasso I have no interest in them therefore they have little value to me.

Some things are worth more than money! There are some things for which I would not trade all the money in the world. Family is one of these things. Certain memories are priceless. Some years ago I went through an unpleasant job change. We were just getting by only to have our income cut by more than 30%. Christmas time rolled around and there was very little money for gifts. Two of my boys went out into the windbreak around our house and found gifts for me. A used razor blade, a shiny black rock and a couple of other things. I wish I still had them today but all I have is the memory. It is priceless! It always brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. Then there is the summer that I got to spend working a new job with those same boys now become teenagers. We would get up early and pile into the cab of an old pickup and drive 60 miles to work. We would sometimes work 12 hours and then have the long drive home. I am not sure that they cherish the time as I do but that doesn't matter. It was the best summer I had had in years.

What does this have to do with our subject of the value of the love of God? Not a lot except that it shows that value is in the mind of the holder. God has already demonstrated the value that He places on us, (John 3:16 Romans 5:8). Have we demonstrated the value we place on His love? Have we demonstrated the value we place on loving Him?

We know what He expects of us. We are to love Him with"all our heart, mind, and soul." "If you love me you will keep my commandments" and others. But what value do we place on His love for us and our love for Him? Two parables of Jesus come to mind. These teachings show how much we are to value the "kingdom of heaven." In Matthew 13:44 and 45 we read of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. In both parables the one who found them sold all that they had in order to obtain them. I suggest that this is how much we should value a loving God.

What is it worth?

Ever heard the old saying: "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink"? I am sure you have. Ever try it? Can't do it can you! No matter how hard you try he will not drink if he doesn't want to.

We sometimes equate make and cause as the same thing. Sometimes this is ok. But not this time. The scripture says in Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea. In Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law we find the following definition of the word cause "something that brings about an effect or result " With this definition in mind we would understand the above passage like this: whoever does something that results in one of these stumbling would be better off drowning in the sea. In this there is no need to establish motive because the one stumbling is responsible for their own actions. Let me illustrate it in this way. I was at an auction this past Saturday. Someone or something had dug a hole in the yard sometime before the sale. I wasn't watching where I was going and I stepped in the hole and nearly fell. That would have been embarrasing as there were a lot of people around at the time. The hole caused me to stumble but it did not make me stumble. I chose to step where I did. therefore I alone am responsible for stumbling and whatever made the hole is responsible for providing the opportunity for me to stumble. No one made me step there, it was my choice.

Can someone MAKE you sin? Absaloutly not! Can someone force me to do something against my will? NOPE! All they can do is persuade me to do a thing by creating consequences which I would greatly enjoy or strongly desire not to endure. For example I do not like to fill out financial statements. However the bank says that if I want to get a loan from them I will have to fill them out. Do they make me fill them out? NO! So if I choose not to fill them out, I also choose not to get the loan.

We persuade our children to obey by offering rewards and punishment. It is still their choice. God also offers reward and punishment to encourage us to be obedient. We can obey strictly out of a sense of duty or love can be our motive.

In our past posts we have explored God's love for us and also our love for God. I would now like us to consider the value of the love of God. What is the love of God worth to you? Please express this value in both ways, loving us and loving Him. Happy pondering!

Our Love For God

Our love for God is so much more than a warm fuzzy feeling we might get when we sing "O How I Love Jesus"! As has been noted in the comments to this question we are to "love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength". In other words, our total being. This statement reflects our attitude and level of commitment toward God. We should love and serve with our total being.

In asking the question, what does our love for God look like, I had an answer in mind. Jesus said in John 14:15 "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments." I know of no passage that more clearly expresses how we demonstrate our love for God than this one! It is one thing to say "I love Jesus" and quite another to demonstrate to God and all the world the truth of that statement.

We have been created for good works according to Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. Jesus taught in the sermon on the mount "Matthew 5:16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." The good works that we do in being obedient to God demonstrate our love for Him! This in turn brings the purest form of praise and thanksgiving to Him.

This is a concept that we understand well. As a parent, the hugs and kisses of a child are wonderful. The are cherished expressions of affection. However they fail to express love in the way that obedience does. A child which truly loves their parents expresses that love by doing what is expected and required of them. Hugs and kisses are no substitute for obedience. They are however what we might call the "icing on the cake".

I enjoy doing mindless work sometimes. It provides time to do something visibly productive while affording an opportunity to think or reflect on something totally unrelated. As I was picking apples the other day I was thinking about this subject. Love and obedience, each is the expression of the other. Then I remembered the excuses we offer for not doing what we are supposed to. Years ago it was popular to say "The devil made me do it!" As one thought led to another the question came to mind, "What can someone else make me do?" So that is the question for you to ponder. Have a happy!

The Love of God II

We have been discussing love. What does it look like towards its various recipients and God's love for us. God being supreme is also a supreme example. So great is His love for us that it says in Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." This verse has always intrigued me. What does God hate? SIN! What was I? A sinner. So from God's point of view I was unlovable yet He sent His son to DIE for me. Now that is hard for me to get my head around. Regardless of my ability to understand, it is true.

Thus far we have been looking at love from a recipients point of view. Now it is time to examine it from a givers side of the equation. What does my love for God look like? Is it enough to sing "O How I Love Jesus" on Sunday morning? What scriptures can you come up with to describe how we are to love God?

Smile, God loves you!

The Love of God

The scriptures are filled with evidence of the love of God. Consider the following text from the word of God " that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. " Matthew 5:45. We as humans tend to be respecters of persons in that we freely shower gifts, praise and well wishes on those whom we like. But God sets the example for us in that he freely gives the necessities to all even those who oppose Him. It could be said that God practices what he preaches for He does indeed love his enemies. Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil." Wow! what a powerful example of love!

However the most powerful example of God's love is found in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life." This is the ultimate show of love for us, His creation.

God With Us

Some of the most decisive verses on the subject of Jesus being God and Man are found in the gospel according to John. Consider: John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. Then also verse 14 of the same chapter 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. Then we move to chapter 3 and verse 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. It is clear then that Jesus was indeed God.

I do not claim to understand how He could be 100% God and 100% man. The scriptures plainly state such to be true. The passage cited from Philippians 2 does a good job of describing at least in part what was involved.

If Christ was not totally man he would have been seen as having some sort of advantage over us. Yet he was "tempted in all points like as we are". If He were not totally God then the scriptures would be unreliable for they say of Him "for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, Colossians 2:9. Truly what a Savior we have.

We cited John 3:16 earlier in this post. It is a favorite of many people. "God so loved" expresses a sentiment which brings comfort to many people. Have you ever wondered what "love" looks like? Someone once told me "I never saw much love". I would like you to ponder the question "What does love look like?" As you consider your answer please describe it in regards to the "love of God" for us, a parents love for children and our love for another human being. Happy pondering!

"God and Man"

The answers given in response to our question, "Is man totally depraved from birth?" were excellent. In these answers there was one element of great importance which was overlooked.

The scriptures teach that Jesus was man. 1Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus," (emphasis mine). If man is totally depraved from birth we are forced to conclude that the "Son of man" was also for he was the son of man, and himself man. I think few would be willing to accept that conclusion. Yet it is required by sound logic if man is indeed totally depraved.

As was indicated man is born good, and learns evil through the choices he makes.

Jesus is the subject of our next question. The following phrases all refer to Jesus: Son of man, Son of God, himself man, God with us. Based upon these phrases it seems that Jesus was God and man. How can this be? Was he half God and half man? Maybe 60-40? Happy pondering!

Can God . . .

The last question we posed, "Can God make a rock bigger than He can lift", is one that cannot be answered with a yes or no. It is what is known as a dilemma. Often times skeptics use such questions in an attempt to discredit arguments of faith. The dilemma can be a useful tool in some cases. A good come-back to the skeptic that asks such a question is "Well did you quit beating your wife yet?" To answer this question with a yes or no would be to admit something which you may have never done. The person who has never, ever, beat his wife would instinctively answer no because he had never started. But without explanation a no answer implies that he still does it. You get the idea.

The new "Batman" movie is out. I happened to see a review on the news the other night and it looked to be somewhat interesting. It has been getting a lot of time on the local talk shows. Seems that some think it is perhaps a satire on the war in Iraq or a commentary on the battle of good and evil.

One show that I rarely get to hear all of is the one with Steve Deace on WHO in the late afternoon. I heard bits and pieces of his show on Monday. I have grown to appreciate a good deal of what Steve says on several subjects. However he frequently presents his "Christian world view" of the nature of man. In his view, man is absolutely, totally depraved. I have never heard him defend this position from the scriptures, only imply that all thinking Christians share this view. Now he may have defended this position on some occasion that I was not a part of the audience.

Your new question then is "Is man totally depraved from birth?" Please defend your position.

How did God accomplish this?

God's plan was perfect. Because He knew what man would do He was able to plan accordingly.

Oftentimes we play "what if". "what if man does this, what will I do?" God did not play "what if". His foreknowledge is so great it is not a case if but when! By knowing perfectly what man is going to do, God does not have to manipulate nor micro manage people's lives to accomplish His purpose.
In this way man is still a "free moral agent" with the freedom and power to choose.

God then accomplished His will and His plan by knowing exactly what man would do and planning accordingly. No second guessing, no coercion, no mistakes.

So far we have been dealing with some very serious questions. I wish now to pose one that is serious yet somewhat lighter. This question requires a yes or no answer, and then a defense of that answer. Here goes. "Can God who is all powerful make a rock bigger than he can lift?"

God's Plan According To Foreknowledge

In light of the fact that it is difficult for us to know what will happen in the next 15 minutes, the foreknowledge of God is nearly incomprehensible. How can He know what will happen1000 years from now? The comforting thing in this is that we don't necessarily need to understand fully, only to realize it is true. The scriptures make it unmistakably clear that His plan was formulated before the world was created. II Timothy 1:9

We tend to understand things in light of the human experience. Man does things by trial and error. Ever hear of someone with a "plan B" to use when plan A fails? God is not like that! Since He is all-knowing He knows that His plans will work. He does not need a "Plan B".

Consider that God made His plan before He made the world. Therefore at the appropriate time God gave the Law to Moses. Then when time was full God sent His son to fulfill the law and die on the cross for us. At the proper time Christ will come again! Sounds rather simple doesn't it. Yet that is the plan of God in a nutshell. Because God knew that man would sin of his own free will He made provisions to redeem and reconcile man to Himself.

Thought question: How did God accomplish this?
Happy pondering.