From my cartoonist

The spread of the so-called 'swine flu' demonstrates yet again how useless and sometimes deadly a mutation can be. Furthermore, as the infection spreads around the world, the search for an antidote is desperately sought, but the very fact that the virus is seen as something to be opposed actually supports the Biblical view of this world. It is always good and right to oppose sickness, but in evolutionary terms, why don’t humans simply resign themselves to it and allow the strong to survive? The evolutionary point of view would say the virus has a ‘right’ to live, so 'good luck' to it!

Even worse, some people are actually trying to blame God for the pandemic, yet it was Man’s original sin which brought disease and sickness into a perfect world. We have no one but ourselves to blame. God offers a cure, but Man refuses it because it does not come on Man’s terms.

The fact that living things, and viruses can mutate is part of their design. Change within a species gives organisms the ability to adapt if the environment changes, but mutations almost never adds new information to the DNA, and most mutations are harmful, and they usually subtract information. The trend is down, not up, which absolutely contradicts Darwin.

The great hope for this fallen, diseased, weatherworn world, is the return of Christ, who has promised to bring restoration, everlasting health and peace to all people. Unfortunately, for evolutionists, this cannot be a part of their thinking, because it leads them into the first chapters of Genesis. They would rather believe a silly lie than acknowledge Biblical truth.

Richard Gunther

Atheists: don't read this one

"I'm pretty sure the shooters at Columbine and Thurston were Christian kids. Dylan Bennet Klebold was for sure and I am pretty sure Kip Kinkle was as well. I don't know about Eric Harris . . . " RYK

Chapter Twelve
Natural Made Killers

After the Columbine school massacre of thirteen people, Leonardo DiCaprio solemnly vowed never to star in another violent movie. Just after the violent murders, the U.K. Mirror reported:

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio has renounced violent films after one of his early movies was linked to the Columbine school massacre. The actor has told aides he no longer wants to be considered for parts in any productions featuring death and destruction. The 'Titanic' star has been caught up in the wave of revulsion sweeping America after the slaughter of 12 pupils and a teacher at the school in the Denver suburb of Littleton. In the 1995 drama 'The Basketball Diaries,' DiCaprio paid a teenage heroin addict who gunned down his teacher and classmates. His twisted screen character wore a full-length trench coat--just like those worn by Trenchcoat Mafia murderers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold who carried out the classroom killings two weeks ago. The parents of three pupils shot dead in 1997 in a school in Kentucky have already sued the makers of 'The Basketball Diaries' for $100 million. The families of the 13 Columbine victims are expected to follow suit, insisting the film inspired teenage misfits Harris and Klebold to mount their terrible attack. Worried British video distributors had the entire classroom killing sequence cut from the film rather than risk sparking copycat murders in the U.K..

Susan Sarandon warned,

Movies are important; and they’re dangerous because we’re the keepers of the dreams. You go into a little dark room and become incredibly vulnerable. On the one hand, all your perspectives can be challenged. You can feel something you couldn’t feel normally. [They] can encourage you to be the protagonist in your own life. On the other hand, [they] can completely misshape you.

So why then hasn’t Hollywood stopped making violent movies? Director Francis Ford Coppola reveals why:

"I made the most vulgar, entertaining, actionful, sense-a-ramic, give them a thrill every five minutes, sex, violence, humor, because I want people to come see it."

After Columbine, Hollywood didn’t change its agenda of violence, even in the face of these massive law suits. It has the world’s best lawyers and the money to defend itself. It knows that we are vulnerable, but it also knows that we will pay up at the box office.

Fans shape their bodies and souls to be like those they love. They want to talk like them, dress like them, look like them, and some will even kill like them. The little girl, who imitates the way Britney Spears looks, dresses, and sings like her, really does think Britney is like her on-screen image. She and millions of others don’t separate the image from the real person. It’s a mystery to them when their idol divorces her husband, puts herself into a treatment center, and shaves her head.

An actor can even have a mesmerizing influence over much of their adoring public. The fans have faith in their idol--they believe what is said about God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible. If the actor says that he protects his kids from the Bible or that he hates God, they don’t separate the idol from the actor.

Look at these few examples (among many) of Hollywood’s disdain for the God of the Bible. In The Mosquito Coast staring Harrison Ford and River Phoenix, a weirdo calling people "brother" passes Harrison Ford and some kids a Bible, and says, "There you are. I've got a gift for you. It's the latest--The Blue Jeans Bible." Harrison Ford takes it and says, "Look at this, kids. It's just what I've been warning you about."

In Dogma, a comedy staring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, the comedy gets a little serious when Matt Damon says:

"Now the carpenter, which is an obvious reference to Jesus Christ, who was raised a carpenter's son, he represents the Western religions . . . Organized religion destroys who we are by inhibiting our actions . . . by inhibiting our decisions, out of, out of fear of some, some intangible parent figure who, who shakes a finger at us from thousands of years ago and says, and says, 'Do it - Do it and I'll f-----' spank you.'"

Robin Williams in Patch Adams looks to the heavens and says,

"You created man. Man suffers enormous amounts of pain. Man dies. Maybe you should have had a few more brain-storming sessions prior to creation. You rested on the seventh day. Maybe you should’ve spent that day on compassion. You know what? You are not worth it."

In The Simpsons, one of the kids is asked to thank God for a meal. He says, "Dear God. We paid for all this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothin'."

During another episode in a bowling alley, Homer Simpson's decapitated head rolls slowly down the lane towards pins impaled with spikes, driving one of them into the skull, which pops open to reveal a note: "I owe you one brain. Signed, God." Bart Simpson's grace before meals runs, "Hey, God, we did all this ourselves, so thanks for nothing." Lisa Simpson mockingly describes prayer as "the last refuge of the scoundrel."

Hollywood is fostering a growing hostility towards Christians and influencing an entire generation. See if you can spot the common thread running through modern movies:

• George Clooney asks a man in a cheap suit (with a large patch over one eye), "What kind of work do you do?" The man enthusiastically answers, "Sales Mr. McGill, sales! And what do I sell? The truth, every blessed word of it--Genesis right on down to Revelation. That’s right, the Word of God. Let me tell you there is d-mn good money in, in times of woe and want."

• A man in a cheap back suit, wearing large-brimmed black hat, with really weird eyes (holding a large wooden cross in one hand, with another large cross pinned to his suit) stands on a New York sidewalk and says, "The good Lord still loves me. He loves all of His children. Why He loves you . . . Help ma! He’s burning me alive. He’s burning me!"

• A devious-looking weirdo dressed in white, with long blond hair and a large cross around his neck is preaching on a sidewalk. A sane-looking and mystified Jodi Foster slowly walks by and looks at them as they chant a slow and horrible-sounding "Praise God, praise the Lord, praise God." Like a salivating wolf, the weirdo then drips with lust at he looks at her.

Michael Medved Film critic and author of Hollywood vs. America said,

But the attitude you have from Hollywood, where every time someone in today’s world is portrayed as some kind of religious believer, that person is viewed as some kind of a crook, or deviant, or weirdo, or an ugly person, or something is wrong with him or her, it’s poisonous.

Worth A Thousand Words
A picture is worth a thousand words, so let’s look at one picture, particularly its script. This is edited from an award-winning R-rated movie called Blow, directed by Ted Demme. It is the story of George Jung, the man who established the American cocaine market in the 1970's. As you read it, ask yourself why Mohamed, Buddha or the Dalai Lama didn’t make it into the script. Why only Jesus? And why use His name in conversation anyway? Johnny Depp is “George” and Penelope Cruz is “Mirtha”:

Note: Three times the "f" word was used in conjunction with the name of Jesus:

TUNA
Jesus Christ.
GEORGE
Jesus Christ. Jesus ------- Christ.
MR. T (CONT'D)
Jesus Christ.
MR. T (CONT'D)
Jesus, ---- me running!
DIEGO
Jesus Christ, George, I don't see you in two years . . .
GEORGE
Jesus Christ.
GEORGE
Jesus ------- Christ, Diego.
MIRTHA
Oh, Jesus Christ, George.
DR. BAY
Oh, Jesus, Get me a 12-lead.
DEREK
Jesus, is that Mirtha!?
LEON
Jesus, George, fifteen percent. That's
an extra two-hundred large.

The director, Ted Demme died less than a year later after the movie’s release, while playing basketball. Cocaine was found in his system.

Wheel of Fortune’s host, Pat Sajak has been working in Hollywood for more than thirty years. He said,

To quote Mr. [Rob] Reiner, "Movies are basically advertising cigarettes to kids." No knock on Rob. In fact, I agree with him. But why is smoking open to censorship and not these other issues? And what happened to Hollywood's argument that movies and TV shows don't cause bad behavior, they just reflect it? . . . . The answer is, there is no answer. It's just Hollywood being Hollywood. It's monumental hypocrisy. Kids can't pick up bad habits from what they watch...oh, except for smoking."

Directed By Hollywood
Here are two more transcripts. They weren’t written directly by Hollywood. They are from two young amateur film-makers--Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, made prior to the assault on Columbine High School, assembled from the Columbine Report and Time Magazine:

Note: Four times the "f" word when referring to these Christians and to Jesus:

Dylan: "I don't like you, Rachel and Jen [two of their victims], you're stuck up little b------, you're ------- little…Christian, Godly little whores! "
Eric: "Yeah.. 'I love Jesus! I love Jesus!' -- shut the ---- up!"
Dylan: "What would Jesus do? What the ---- would I do..?" (he acts like he's shooting the camera with his hand, with sound to accompany it)
Eric: "I would shoot you in the mother-------- head! Go Romans! Thank God they crucified that -------."
Eric and Dylan: "Go Romans!" "Go Romans!!" "Yeah!!" "Wooo!"

On April 20th, 1999, 30 minutes before the attack (Evidence item #200):

Eric: "Say it now."
Dylan: "Hey mom. I gotta go. It's about a half an hour till judgment day. I just wanted to apologize to you guys for any c---- this might instigate as far as (inaudible) or something. Just know I'm going to a better place. I didn't like life too much, and I know I'll be happy wherever the ---- I go. So I'm gone. Good-bye. Reb... "

The only difference between the Columbine killings and Leonardo DiCaprio’s on screen killings was that the two murderers targeted only Christians. I wonder why.

From, Hollywood Be Thy Name by Ray Comfort (Bridge Logos Publishers).

Notes:

http://www.leonardo-dicaprio.com/rec-new.html
http://www.bilkent.edu.tr/~jast/Number11/Amador.htm
http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0108/apocalypse.htm
Studies conducted in Oak Park, Mich., in 1977 and followed up in 1992 showed that "women who watched violent television shows as children in the 1970s are more physically aggressive and more capable of committing criminal acts today." The women who scored at the top of categories "watched aggressive female heroines in the media as children and continued to do so as adults." These results "confirmed some of our worst fears," indicates L. Rowell Huesman, a psychology professor and researcher in the Aggression Research Group at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor." USA Today, Jan. 1998 by Joe McNamara.
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes.
http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/m/mosquito-coast-script-transcript-ford.html
Six nominations, including "Independent Spirit Award."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120655/
The Simpsons is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Network. Thank God It's Doomsday typifies screen-writer’s message. God is the almighty ruler of the Universe. He once attempted to flood Springfield (the Simpson’s home town), but was stopped when Reverend Lovejoy showed that God was the path to good, and also once chose to end the world. This time, he was stopped by Homer Simpson, who requested him to turn back time and leave the apocalypse off for a few years. God has two aides, Colonel Sanders and Buddha, although he is seen with Jesus in Heaven.
"Anything goes: moral bankruptcy of television and Hollywood," USA Today, Jan, 1998 by Joe McNamara
For George Cloney’s beliefs, see What Hollywood Believes by Ray Comfort
Hollywood Unmasked--www.Goodfight.org
http://sfy.ru/sfy.html?script=blow
http://imdb.com/title/tt0221027/
Host of Wheel of Fortune, television production company owner, radio station owner (Annapolis, MD), music publisher, board member of the American Cinema Foundation
As the son of multi-talented comedic genius Carl Reiner (Your Show of Shows), Rob Reiner instantly outgrew his father's legacy to establish himself as an independent force in multiple facets of the entertainment industry.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101991220-35870,00.html
If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do to you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.” (John 15:18-21)
http://www.acolumbinesite.com/quotes.html

Every single atom

"I'm proud of my family and friends, also of my own achievements. Why is that wrong? Because it relegates God down the importance rung a little? We know He is a jealous God, He says so himself. God has had nothing to do with my achievements. I have never asked Him for help, nor according to Christian doctrine do I deserve help. So He gets no thanks. Not that I'd thank Him anyway - He's not real." Alphgeek

This sort of talk is similar to a teenager, who after receiving everything he has from his loving mother, stabs her in the back and says, "I have done nothing wrong." How could anyone reason for a moment with such a person?

God gave us eyes to see with, ears to hear, and a brain with which to think. Yet we are willfully blind, deaf and dumb to that fact. Every atom that makes up our bodies and every drop of blood in our veins came from God. Everything that gives us the ability to achieve anything, only came from the goodness of God.

Of course, the true atheist doesn’t believe that. Neither does he believe in any initial cause. He believes that there’s no God, no Maker, and no Creator. We didn't make ourselves, so he is stuck with the belief that nothing made everything "in the beginning" and time brought us to where we are now. It all happened because "evolution-did-it." Sure.

How applicable is Scripture for this day and age: “There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness” (Proverbs 30:12).

Misguided atheist

"By the way I'm neither confused nor angry. I hear this accusation a lot from Christians, usually along the lines of 'I didn't know what happiness was until I found God,' 'I was hateful and angry until Jesus came into my life' etc. That's great. I'm glad that belief in God, Jesus, whatever, was able to make these people feel better about themselves. I don't need that though. I'm very happy in and of myself. I don't have anything lacking in my life. Lucky me." Alphgeek

Contrary to the misguided belief of the above atheist, Christianity doesn’t promise happiness. To see how the Church has messed up its message--keep his words in mind-- and listen to "Hell’s Best Kept Secret"--freely available on the Blog page (halfway down on the right) and on www.livingwaters.com

No just one apple

"Now seems an excellent time for a quote from Epicurus: 'Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then He is not omnipotent. Is He able, but not willing? Then He is malevolent. Is He both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is He neither able nor willing? Then why call Him God?'" BathTub

Epicurus seemed to cover every base but the right one. He forgot about something the KJV of the Bible calls "the longsuffering of God." The Scriptures make it clear that God will punish evil, but we have a problem. We don’t see ourselves as being evil--( see Psalm 36:2, Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 16:2, Proverbs 21:2). Do you think you are evil? Of course you don’t. No one does. We think that we are good people, and by (low) human standards many of us are. However, by God’s standards we are evil to the core--and there's not just one bad apple.

Here’s God’s point of view of humanity:

"As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:10-18).

We are warned many times in Scripture that God is going to judge humanity from the standard of moral perfection (see Matthew 5:27-28), and that will put every one of us justly in Hell. Yet, we are told that this same God of perfect Justice is rich in mercy. He is patiently waiting for evil sinners to repent and be forgiven.

So don’t mistake the mercy and patience of God for the thought that He’s impotent or doesn’t care about justice. If you die in your sins there won’t be a second chance. Come to your senses, repent and trust the Savior today. You will have eternity to thank God that you did.

Cruelty and hatred

At the beginning of 2009, an atheist named Kat left a comment saying that I was filled with hatred. I asked her if she could possibly find the time to go through each of my blogs and give me some specifics. She said that she would, but I didn’t hear back from her and presumed that she hadn’t found anything. Three months later she wrote that she had been busy and was still looking.

More recently, she left another comment saying "I gave up collecting all of your mean and rude comments to the atheists who post here; all of the mean and hateful things you've posted, because it simply became too much . . . I can't do it anymore Ray, I simply cannot keep going through your archives and finding every instance of your cruelty, it hurts my heart way too much . . . your hatred, your hateful words, your insults and cruelty, cannot be read by me for even one minute longer. This will be my last comment on your blog. I cannot allow myself to be witness to such cruelty any longer."

Unfortunately Kat didn’t provide even one example. If she was speaking the truth and I have been hateful and cruel, please forgive me. I am not aware of any hatred I have for any human being. My motivation is one of love and always has been. I do admit to mocking atheist, because mockery is a legitimate form of debate according to my Rule-book. God Himself mocks evil men who refuse His moral government (see Proverbs 1:26-27). The Bible also calls the professing atheist a "fool" (Psalm 14:1, Psalm 107:17, Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 14:16, Luke 12:20).

So if you do take the time to go through the archives, you will find many incidents of mockery when it comes to the unscientific and ridiculous theory tale of evolution (which I once believed). You will find me speaking of the Bible calling atheists fools, of April 1st being National Atheist Day, etc. Any references I have used to moral corruption, filthiness, wickedness of heart, etc., includes myself and the rest of humanity (see Romans 3:11-18) are from the Scriptures. Any likening of humanity to pigs, foxes, dogs, sheep, etc., are biblical metaphors. But I am not aware of hatred and cruelty.

I think that perhaps Kat is a tender-hearted person who doesn’t have the grit to be able to handle healthy debate. May her tender heart be turned towards her Creator.

Today is my birthday--April 25th, 2009

Today I celebrate 37 years as a Christian. The first time I was born, it was a big deal for me. I received the gift of a temporary life. But it was through my second birth (see John 3:5) that I received the gift of everlasting life (see Romans 6:23).

I am still stunned at the amazing grace that saved a wretch like me.

Imagine . . . I have everlasting life! But I’m not the only one. Take His hand and join us, and the world will live as one.

Who killed JFK?

"[We are being] told that our atheism is an ‘intellectual embarrassment’ by a man who actually believes that he's going to literally fly in the air like some kind of bird one fine day: 'For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord' (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). As an atheist I love it when Christians try to lecture me about the logic of atheism!" C.H.

If you think human beings being able to fly is crazy, think about what you and your fellow unbelievers believe. A staunch atheist believes that there isn’t a "creation," that nothing was "designed," neither was it "created" or "made." He also believes that he has no beliefs, because that would mean that he has some sort of "faith," which is another word that has connotations about you-know-Who.

When pressed about his beliefs, the average atheist will admit that he believes that 14.5 billion years ago the universe came into being, from something. But he doesn’t know what the "something" was, although he is adamant that it wasn’t God. Then, through the miracle of evolution, the something that wasn’t God brought into being everything we see.

Someone once said that (with all our technology) we have trouble trying to figure out who killed JFK. That was only 45 or so years ago, and 14.5 billion years is a long time to be sure of anything. A mere million years ago is a long time, let alone more than 14 thousand million years, but that’s what’s necessary for the miracle of evolution to work. Of course, that figure has changed a number of times in recent history, and no doubt in a 100 years time, science will laugh at what is now believed.

I choose rather to call creation "creation," and to love and serve the Creator who bought creation into being. I have no trouble believing that He made man as male and female, and that He gave them the ability to procreate after their own kind. I have no trouble believing that He brought animals to Noah, flooded the earth to the highest mountain, opened the Red Sea, stopped the mouths of Daniel’s lions, guided the stone from David’s sling, fed the 5,000 fresh bread and fish, died on a cruel cross for our sins, and then rose from the dead on the third day.

It’s easy to believe in miracles because I see the unspeakable genius of God’s handiwork every time I watch a bird fly. It has been 100 years since we first flew, yet we still can’t make a plane land with the agility of the common sparrow. In most modern landings someone is gripping the armrest, and most thank God when they hear the "thud" as we come back to earth.

An atheist talks about nothing

"There are a gazillions kinds of atheists. And each might ‘believe’ differently. The question contains many hidden meanings, and its purpose is to lead to equivocation. 'Nothing created anything' would be correct if we re-write it to say: Atheists do not believe that anything was 'created.' That one would encompass most atheists, I guess. And there is no embarrassment for that. Nor intellectual, nor otherwise. But it is incorrect if it means: Atheists believe that 'nothing' was the 'creative force' that produced the universe. Not because it ‘would be an intellectual embarrassment,' but because that does not describe what any atheist I know thinks (not believes, but thinks). I bet most would claim not to know what if anything produced the universe. We could cite BIG BANGs and such, but &!$*, I do not understand anything of those theories. But that does not mean God, nor that ‘nothingness’ would be something I ‘believe’ to be a creative force. So, what do I think (not believe, think), well, I think that natural processes are behind the universe. Not "nothing" but natural processes. It would be more accurate if Ray said, 'Atheists believe that nobody created the universe.'" G.E.

Look at the embarrassing intellectual hoops G.E. has had to go through to keep God out of his beliefs. He thinks that nothing was "created," that we are not living in a "creation"-- because that has strong connotations of there being a Creator. He therefore can’t use the word "made," because that speaks of a Maker--and that speaks of God, and any thoughts of God speaks of some sort moral responsibility.

So he is saying that material (creation) exists, but there was no force that brought it into being. He thinks that nothing brought it into being. So we (once again) have a clear definition of an atheist. An atheist is someone who thinks (but doesn’t believe) that nothing created everything.

There's no way to say it kindly, but such thoughts show that the atheist doesn’t think, and prove that the Bible right when it says that the fool has said in his heart that there is no God (see Psalm 14:1 and Romans 1:20).

He concludes by saying, "It would be more accurate if Ray said, 'Atheists believe that nobody created the universe.' Let me change one word to make what he is saying make more sense: "It would be more comfortable if Ray said, 'Atheists believe that nobody created the universe.'"

The beginning of time

"It's not the 'nothing' we have a problem with, it's the 'created' and you've heard this a million times you creepy ignorant man. If you ask me: 'What created the universe?' I will answer 'Nothing.' You will then proudly quote me as holding the position that ‘Nothing created everything’... and for this I have every reason to call you a stinking liar, because what I actually believe is that the universe was not 'created' in the first place. Just like you believe your insubstantial God was not 'created.'" Intepid

Those who believe that the universe is eternal (that it wasn’t created) reveal their lack of understanding of basic science. Look at the words of Stephen Hawking:

"The conclusion of this lecture is that the universe has not existed forever. Rather, the universe, and time itself, had a beginning in the Big Bang, about 15 billion years ago" (The Beginning of Time).

There is disagreement about how long ago the universe began, but there is no doubt amoung scientists that it had a beginning. So the belief that it wasn’t created is completely unfounded. Which brings each of us back to the question: "What was initial cause?" That Cause was God.

So where is God? The Bible tells us that we are in His presence. No matter where you go, no matter what you do, you are seen by the God who requires an account of every thought, word, or deed. It is your God-given right not to believe that, but you will only deny it to your own eternal detriment. God offers you complete forgiveness of sins, and the gift of everlasting life (see Romans 6:23). If you refuse it, then you will have no one to blame but yourself. On that Day you will realize that in that respect I wasn't a creepy ignorant man, and that I wasn’t a stinking liar, but told you the truth. And I did so because I care about you and where you spend eternity.

The atheist and faith

"‘Faith’ -- as far as I can see from general practice, and from your use of the word -- implies ‘beliefs one holds without being conscious of any good logical or evidentiary reasons for holding that belief.’" JSK

Banks are built on faith. You trust the bank with your money. Wall Street is build on trust. Marriage is built on trust. If you lose faith in your marriage partner (you don’t trust him or her) you have in essence lost your marriage. Friendships are built on trust. If I don’t trust you and you don’t trust me, then we have no basis for a friendship.

Trust is what holds a doctor-and-patient relationship together like hyphenations. Trust is what you exercise every time you swallow a pill or receive a booster shot. Faith is there when you allow your dentist to drill and fill. You trust both his ability and his integrity. It’s there when you let a surgeon operate, or when you let a stranger prepare your food in a restaurant or at a drive-through. You trust that his hands are clean and that the food is fresh.

You have trust when you ride a rollercoaster, or put on a parachute, when you cross a bridge, or fly in a plane. You have faith in your car when you drive it, in the gasoline when you pump it, and when you put on its brakes. You trust the driver on the other side of a yellow line will stay on his side of the road. You have trust when you sit down on a chair, drink a can of coke, bite into a candy bar, or spread ketchup on hot fries. We have faith in history books, science books, newspapers, and often a misplaced trust in politicians. We even trust elevators, knowing that they can let us down.

Trust me, there are some people who don’t know the meaning of trust in God, despite having it written on our currency. They think that someone who has faith in God "believes" in His existence, without a hint of evidence. However, eternal life comes from trusting in the person of Jesus Christ, not simply in a belief in His historical existence. Look at how the Bible differentiates belief from an implicate trust: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is [a belief in His existence--clearly evidenced by creation to all but a fool--see Psalm 14:1, Romans 1:20], and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (trust]." (Hebrews 11:6).

If a man refused to have trust, he wouldn’t cross a bridge, ride an elevator, fly in a plane, go to a doctor, or use a banker. Such a person would live in paranoia. I knew a man like that once. He was an atheist. He was afraid to fly. He was afraid of crowds because he thought someone might try and kill him. He was so paranoid, he didn’t even use his real name.

May you and I always remember how "trust" is the oxygen of human relationships. It is the oil that makes things work, and it's the means of exchange between God and man.

Thoughtful questions from "Rebecca in TX"

Nathaniel said..."Seriously, Ray. When will you be man enough to admit that you're wrong about the ‘atheists believe nothing created everything’ nonsense? Atheists are brave enough to admit mistakes every day. Are you a lesser person than an atheist? Gasp!"

Nathaniel,
Please describe the something you believe made everything. Please provide your scientific empirical evidence to back up your belief.

Daren said..."'A genuine atheist believes that nothing created everything.' False. A genuine atheist has no beliefs in deities."

Daren,
Please describe the something you believe made everything. Please provide your scientific empirical evidence to back up your belief.

Barry said..."Ray, Re: 2nd law of thermodynamics -- You would be wise not to tread into physics. You have no idea what you are talking about, whether or not you're too proud to admit it."

Barry,
You sound like you are an expert in science so maybe you have an answer. Can you please describe what the something is that atheists believe created everything? Would you please provide the scientific evidence to back it up? Nobody else seems to be able to.

DBW said..."I’m sure many others will say this, as many others have already. The second law of thermodynamics does not falsify that matter may have always existed in some form or another. Entropy causes matter and energy to change from one form to another, but it can still be eternal."

DBW,
Please provide your scientific evidence that matter and energy can be eternal. Where is your data, research study, or empirical evidence? It would not be rational to believe this without sufficient evidence would it?

Reynolds said…"Try learning about science yourself before lecturing others about it, please."

Reynolds,
How about you wow us with your scientific knowledge. Explain what you believe made everything and back it up with your data. Cite your source, name the study, scientists who concur.

The dumbest of Christians

"Perhaps you can explain something to me. If our existence proves that there must be a Creator, doesn't the Creator's existence prove that he has a creator as well?" Rick,

God has no beginning nor end. He is eternal. That's why (when Moses asked for His name) He simply said "I AM." (see Exodus 3:14). God just "is."

A genuine atheist believes that nothing created everything--that the whole of creation just happened without a Creator. However, included in this incredible creation, that supposedly just happened, are eyes. Let's look at them for a moment.

Each human eye has 137,000,000 light sensitive cells. Think now of how incredible the Creator must be--to be able to create each of the 1.4 million species with a pair of working eyes. We have no idea how to make one eye that can move with such incredible agility, self-focus, be sensitive to light, and actually see. In fact, we can't make a single eyelash from nothing.

Without the grace of God, all of us (including the atheist), have as much understanding of the subject of God as a dead chicken has of the theory of relativity. Our understanding is "darkened." We are alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in us because of the blindness of our heart (see Ephesians 4:18). Check out the next verse (Ephesians 4:19) to see the root of our problem. (Lewd: "inclined to, characterized by, or inciting to lust or lechery; lascivious").

However, in reference to His eternality, God created the dimension of time to which He then subjected humanity. When you and I die we will leave time and go into eternity. To think of such a dimension strains the mind. But use the brain for a moment to think of infinitude of space. It has neither beginning nor end, despite the simple surmising of some who believe that space has an end. It goes of forever in every direction . . . and Almighty God fills the entirety of space.

This same incredible Creator is morally perfect, and demands perfect justice. So please make sure you have peace with Him when you stand before Him on the Day of Judgment. On that Day, the dumbest of Christians will be seen to be ten thousand times wiser than the wisest of atheists.

Sanctimonious jerks

"Liz said... Jinx said:

'I always find it amusing when a skeptic makes this argument as if they were the first person to ever make it and we Christians have never heard it before. And, of course, they are smug and self-satisfied about it, particularly when other skeptics cheer them on. In reality, skeptics are broken records who simply regurgitate other skeptics' arguments. And somehow the think this makes them smart when in reality they are fools who are completely ignorant about the thing they are criticizing.'

Can you refute this position? Or are you just trying to be a sanctimonious jerk?"

I'm sure Jinx isn't trying to be a sanctimonious jerk. What he says in true. I have been answering the same questions over and over for more than 30 years: the straw man argument, who made God?, mixing cotton and wool, killing your teenager, stoning virgins, the issue of suffering, the fallacy of evolution, hypocrites in the church, "Hitler was a Christian," bats are not birds, etc. (I listed 100 commonly asked questions and objections in The Evidence Bible). Even though we have dealt with them many times before, we try and answer them again with patience because we love you guys, and we know that Hell exists. We are horrified at the thought that when you pass through death you will have to face the morally perfect God you don't believe in. Yes, we “know” because we know Him.

Please forgive us for sounding like sanctimonious jerks. Sometimes we do lose patience, but that doesn't change the fact that what we are saying is true.

The security blanket

"The world is a big scary place, and when people come to this realization (existential dread if you've heard of Sartre et al), religion is there to act as a security blanket with all of it's false promises and ‘guarantees.’ Personally, I look within when I need to make important decisions, and to family and friends when I need support. You look to a 2000 year old work of semi-fiction. Horses for courses I suppose." Culbert

Religion is a security blanket. All it does is provide a physiological sanctuary. Nothing else. It has caused atrocities throughout history, and still does today. Religious people murdered God’s prophets throughout the Old Testament. They stoned Stephen to death for his preaching of the truth (see Acts 7:51-60). They erroneously believe that a man can earn his own salvation through his own religious works. Religion only delivers a security blanket when a parachute is needed. When the “jump” comes, they will see their terrible error.

However, when someone becomes a Christian (through the new birth of John 3), they are set free from the bondage of religion. This is because God Himself provides a parachute in the Savior (see Ephesians 2:8-9).

The support of friends and family is wonderful. We all need that. But look at how the 3,000 old Word of God describes those of us who leave God out of the equation: "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. His ways are always grievous; your judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffs at them. He has said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity" (Psalm 10:4-6). You have an enemy that came to kill, steal and destroy (see John 10:10). You may make it through this life without the mercy of God, but is for the next that you need a Savior.

Scotland's butterfly

When Scotland's Susan Boyle stood in front of a cynical crowd at Britain’s equivalent of American Idol, I was reminded of how wonderful it is when that which is despised, suddenly stops the mouths of a proud and conceited world.

It is an astonishing twist of nature when the grub turns into a butterfly. Such is the case with the despised Savior of the world. No other name in history has ever been used as a cuss word to such an extent. Try and think of one. No other name has been spat out of Hollywood’s blasphemous lips with such utter contempt, as the Name of Jesus Christ.

But the time is coming when He will manifest His unspeakable glory to a God-hating, cynical and evil-loving world. Scripture (which must be fulfilled) says that every knee will bow to Him as Lord (see Philippians 2:9-11). What an unspeakable vindication that will be for those who love God and that which is right and just.

The song Susan Boyle chose was "I Dreamed a Dream" from "Les Miserables." The words are very powerful:

I dreamed a dream in time gone by,
When hope was high
And life worth living.
I dreamed that love would never die.

I dreamed that God would be forgiving.
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted.
There was no ransom to be paid

No song unsung, no wine untasted.
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart

And they turn your dream to shame.
He slept a summer by my side.
He filled my days with endless wonder.
He took my childhood in his stride,

But he was gone when autumn came.
And still I dream he'll come to me
That we will live the years together.
But there are dreams that cannot be,

And there are storms we cannot weather.
I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I’m living,
So different now from what it seemed,
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.

Should you make it through to old age, this will be your song. There storms of life are coming and you cannot weather them, if you haven’t been wise and built your house upon the rock (see Matthew 7:24). A godless life will leave you disillusioned, bitter, fearful, with nothing but shattered dreams.

So many of today’s generation have grown old prematurely and are already angry and deeply cynical about life. But this need not be. We need not “dream” that God is forgiving. He is rich in mercy to all that call upon Him, but that forgiveness is alone in the One He provided as a despised Savior (see Isaiah 53:3-4). Repent and trust in Him and you will share His reproach.

Thank God, there is no ransom to be paid, because it was paid 2,000 years ago when Jesus of Nazareth suffered for our sins, rose from the dead defeating death and proving God’s love for sinners such as us. Today, make peace with Him because you are not guaranteed old age.

My agenda

It's not my ultimate goal to convert anyone to theism. This is because I am convinced that all sane humanity is theistic to some degree. The existence of creation tells a rational mind that there is a Creator (Romans 1:20). Argument over. The alternative is to become a fool and believe that there was no Creator and what surrounds us isn't a "creation."

Here's your dilemma. You are standing on the edge of a plane, 10,000 feet in the air. I scream to you amidst the noise to put your parachute on. Your comeback is that you don't believe that the plane you are standing on could have had a maker. But my goal isn't to have you acknowledge that the plane was made, but that you put on the parachute that's being offered to you (see Romans 13:14).

How can I convince you to do that? I can show you how you have violated the moral Law. Go through the Sermon on the Mount and examine your life in the light of "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust for her has committed adultery in his heart." Think about how God is moral perfection and how He sees your thought-life. Consider the Law that you must face--a law that is far harsher than the unforgiving law of gravity from 10,000 feet.

Consider how you could "jump" today. Approximately 150,000 people will die in the next 24 hours. You could be one of them. You have no guarantee of tomorrow. Imagine if God lost patience with you and your godless beliefs. I'm appealing to your God-given fear. It's your friend, not your enemy. Open the Bible, and make Psalm 51 your prayer. Please, think about your sins, think about the cross. Jesus took your punishment upon Himself so your case could be dismissed.

I have said it many times that the issue with the skeptic (or the "believer" who refuses to be obedient) is moral, not intellectual. We don't need convincing of God's existence, we need convincing of our terrible danger. I care enough to warn you. See Colossians 1:28.

Confused atheist

"I have violated some of the strictures in the Bible. I work on Sunday, I wear cotton polyester blend T shirts sometimes, I love lobster, when my children disobey I choose to let them live, I don't own any slaves. Lots of things like that so I have violated your Bible but that is not God’s law because there is no God to make laws. Just an old book of barbarian myths." Ryk

You are a little confused about the Law that will judge you. The complete Hebrew Law has a total 613 precepts. It is broken into three categories:

1. The Ceremonial Law. For the worship of God--how the Tabernacle was to be constructed, what to wear--ordinances saying not to wear cotton and wool together because the combination produces sweat. What to eat--certain animals are "scavengers" and are not healthy to eat, etc.

2. The Civil Law. How the nation of Israel was to govern. How they were to treat their slaves (servants), punish murderers, rapists, how to stop rebellion, etc.

3. The Moral Law. The Ten Commandments. God sees the thought-life of each of us and considers lust a violation of the Seventh Commandment (see Matthew 5:27-28). He also sees hatred as murder. It is the Moral Law that you are bound by (see Romans 2:15) and that is the Law that will judge you on Judgment Day (see Romans 2:12, James 2:12). It is the Moral Law that will justly send you to Hell for your sins.

However, God in His great kindness, offers you forgiveness of sins through repentance and faith in Jesus--everlasting life. Only a fool would refuse such an incredible offer. Please, think about your salvation. There's nothing more important than where you will spend eternity.

New atheist book

"Writers have repeatedly shown why your assertions about what atheists believe (e.g., 'nothing created everything') are untrue. Again, you ignore their good faith efforts to communicate with you. How about actually responding to people who are responding to your requests for comment?" Euphimist

I guess that a high profiled Brooklyn-based atheist didn’t think too deeply about the title of her new book. It’s a double whammy, called Nothing: Something to Believe in. The title reveals the two best kept secrets of atheism. 1. An atheist does have a belief. 2. He believes that nothing created everything.

If you choose to be called an "atheist," that’s the intellectually embarrassing cross you have to carry, but you carry it by your own choice.

Good news!

Richard Phillips, the courageous captain who gave himself up in place of his beloved crew, had been held captive for a number of days by pirates. There were negotiations to find some sort of settlement, but the rebels (who had been kindly given food and water) refused. In came the snipers, took them out, and there was great rejoicing throughout the world that justice had been done. As one anchor-person put it, "There was good news for the good guys."

This happened on Resurrection Sunday, 2009. The good news of the captain coming back from what many were concluding was looking like his certain death, didn’t overshadow the good news of the One the Bible calls the Captain of our Salvation coming back from the dead. He gave His life for those He loved 2,000 years ago, and then rose from the dead three days later.

At the moment, negotiations are going on between this sinful world and God, through the gospel's offer of complete amnesty. Meanwhile, God kindly lets the rain fall on the just and the unjust, but the time will come when the Ten Cannons of God’s Law will be let loose on those who remain in rebellion (see 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10). Sinners will get exactly what’s due to them. This is good news for those who love justice, and very bad news for those who are in their sins on that Day.

The Mafia and the law

"So how do you explain the verses in Matthew 10:34-35 where Jesus says that 'Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man against his father and the daughter against her mother and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.' How does this square with 'honor your father and mother' in the Ten Commandments?'" Happy Humanist

If a Mafia boss reforms and becomes a police officer, then returns to his criminal friends and tells them that they should stop their life of crime because there is going to be a big bust, he’s not going to be Mr. Popular. Some may listen to him, but the majority are going to see him as a threat to their lucrative means of livelihood. They will hate him and may even kill him. They don’t hate him personally, but the badge for which he stands. They hate the law and anyone who seeks to uphold it.

The Christian is nothing but a criminal who has turned from his sins, and seeks to warn his fellow criminals that there is going to be a big bust. Judgment Day is coming. Jesus warned His followers that they would be hated because they belonged to Him. He warned that people will kill them, thinking that they are doing God a favor. This happened during history, and especially during the Spanish Inquisition, when the Catholic church (in the name of God) tortured and killed Christians ("The Inquisition, which the Catholic sovereigns had been empowered to establish by Sixtus IV in 1478, had, despite unjustifiable cruelties, failed of its purpose, chiefly for want of centralisation. In 1483 the pope appointed Torquemada, who had been an assistant inquisitor since 11 February 1482, Grand Inquisitor of Castile, and on 17 October extended his jurisdiction over Aragon." (The Catholic Encyclopedia--http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14783a.htm).

Jesus said that the world would hate Him because He testified of their deeds, that they were evil. This is why I keep saying that the issue with the atheist isn’t intellectual, it is moral. It’s not that the atheist "can’t" find God. It’s that he "won’t" (see Psalm 10:4), because he loves the darkness and hates the light (see John 3:19-20). The professing atheist sees Christianity as a threat to his pleasure-filled and sinful lifestyle. The book of Romans says that his "carnal mind" (the rebellious mind of man) is in a place of hostility towards God. Then Scripture pin-points where the hostility is directed--at the moral Law (see Romans 8:7). Sinful man hates the Law of God. That’s why it’s easy for me to love those who mock and hate me. It’s because I know that they don’t hate me personally, but what I stand for--I wear the badge of the moral Law.

It is this hatred for God and His Law that brings a "sword" (division and hostility) between the Christian and this sinful world. This sharp sword of separation even happens in families. Almost every Christian I know has experienced this. But the greatest way I can love and honor my parents is to tell them how to avoid the reality of Hell, and find everlasting life that is alone in Jesus Christ.

We are fortunate that in this country the sword that comes between us and our families is merely figurative. In some Islamic countries if a family member becomes a Christian, they see it as their God-given duty to put them to death as an "honor" killing.

The time may come when that sword will turn towards the Christian in the United States, as the country becomes more godless, and consequently hate-filled towards God. This is because resistance to abortion, gambling, drinking, pornography, gay marriage, drug legalization, fornication, etc., comes mainly from the Christian community. We are a very real threat to the world’s lucrative lawlessness. If that day comes, may God give us the courage to love not our lives unto death. After all, we are fighting the “good” fight of faith, and this sinful world can’t kill a soldier of Christ. They merely promote him to Headquarters.

An atheist's question about the cross

"[God] sacrificed Himself to Himself so that he would not violate His perception of justice. He gets mad when we don't accept His sacrifice of Himself to Himself. This sounds believable to people?"

Let's put it differently so that it sounds believable. God is just and holy. That means that He is a like a good judge who sees a devious criminal who has viciously murdered eight innocent young girls. If the judge is good, he is going to be mad at the criminal and throw the book at him. That makes sense.

God is extremely mad at sinners (see Romans 2:5-6), and because He is good the Day is coming when He will throw the Book at every criminal who has violated His Law. Yet, this same wrath-filled judge is rich in mercy and became a human being in Jesus of Nazareth so that we could be forgiven. We broke God's Law. Jesus paid our fine. That means that God can legally dismiss our case and give us everlasting life. That makes it believable.

What is unbelievable, is anyone refusing such an incredible gift.

Hating parents, etc.

"Steve J said... But let me ask you this. Do you really feel so much love for Jesus that it feels like you hate everyone else by comparison?"

Remember the reason for hyperbole. It is to give us contrast. I don't "hate" anyone. I deeply love my siblings, my wonderful wife, my three kids, my grandchildren and my parents. However, love for God is much deeper, and there's good reason for that. My parents didn't give me life. God did. He also gave me my wife, my brother and sister, my children, the ability to see, to think and hear, to love, to eat and to breathe. To love the gift above the Giver of those gifts is called "inordinate" affection. It is a form of idolatry. It's only right that I love the One who lavished these incredible blessings on me. However, this same gracious and kind Creator went even further. He became a human being in the person of Jesus of Nazareth and took the punishment for my many sins. He did this so that I could legally have my death-sentence commuted, and be granted the gift of everlasting life. What sort of wretched person would I be if I didn't return such love with every ounce of my being? Don't you love God for His kindness to you? See 1 Corinthians 16:22.

Thoughts on the resurrection

What do you think was the most significant event in human history?

Unquestionably, the greatest event was the faint sound of a heartbeat in a cold and lifeless body in a tomb, two thousand years ago. The sound of blood rushing through the heart of Jesus of Nazareth was a sound that will thunder throughout eternity, because of its incredible implications.

The fact that God raised someone from the dead is not really significant. He raised the dead a number of times both in the Old and New Testaments. But this resurrection had enormous lawful repercussions. It was evidence that the Judge of the universe had acknowledged that the payment for our sins was acceptable. It was the key that unlocked the door to immortality for humanity.

Here's another question for you. What is the most precious substance in the universe? It was unquestionably the blood of Jesus Christ. Nothing else could redeem us from the just curse of God’s Law. When eternal justice called for our blood, and Jesus gave His blood to atone for our crimes. We were not redeemed with silver and gold…but with the precious blood of Christ.

Many Jews had been crucified as criminals by the Roman cross. All suffered unspeakable pain. But this Jew's suffering was different because He was the Lamb of God, whose blood did not contain the taint of sin carried by the lineage of Adam. He was truly the Lamb of God.

These are wonderful biblical truths that Christians know and rejoice in. But, this Easter, millions of both Jews and Gentiles will celebrate biblical events that they don’t fully understand. For one or two holy days they will give God thanks for His mercy and for the Passover lamb. Christians celebrate Easter and the resurrection of the Passover Lamb every day of the year.

May you have a happy Easter.

Angry about nothing

"I am angry at you Ray. STOP, STOP, STOP saying that an atheist is someone who believe something came out of nothing. I am an atheist and this is what I believe. Matter & energy cannot be created or destroyed however they can change from one form to another. This is known is the first law of thermodynamics. Therefore it is natural to believe that matter or energy has always existed in one form. This is why we get upset when you tell us that we believe something came out of nothing. Because there has never been nothing matter or energy has always existed." Stu

If you are familiar with the first law of thermodynamics, then you should be familiar with the second law. It says tells us that it is scientifically impossible for the universe to be eternal. Everything degenerates. Leave an apple on a table for a few weeks and it will rot. Leave a rock for a billions years and it will turn to dust. If the universe was eternal (trillions and trillions "plus" old) it would have turned to dust. So now you are back to the question as to what caused the universe in the beginning. If you say that there was no first cause (a Creator), then you are stuck with the unscientific and thoughtless belief that nothing created everything. So, what is it that you believe? Is it that Something created everything? Then you are not an atheist because you believe in a Creator. Or do you believe that nothing created it? There is no in-between.

Apology for banana illustration

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHaSZtf5I1k

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Hating your parents and siblings

"Ray, You say that '[God] also warns that if you hate someone, you have as good as killed them.' Then why does Jesus proclaim the following? 'If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple' (Luke 14:26). So to be a Christian you have to be both homicidal and suicidal. If you're not, then you're not a disciple of Christ. I welcome a thorough explanation of this conundrum."

This is what is known as "hyperbole." It’s a statement of exaggeration, contrasting love with hate for the sake of emphasis. We still use hyperbole in every day speech--"I have told you a million times not to exaggerate." The Bible often uses hyperbole to make a point. The Book of Proverbs says that if you fail to discipline your child you "hate" him. The obvious point is that discipline is a token of parental love.

The verse you quoted shows that Jesus of Nazareth was either a deluded raving lunatic (which doesn’t match the brilliance of His other words--read the Sermon on the Mount given to us in Matthew 5-7) or He was God in human form. He is saying that we should so love Him that our love for our mother, father, etc., (our "loved" ones) should seem like hate, compared to the love we have for the One who gave us those loved ones in the first place. This is the essence of the First of the Ten Commandments.

Letters from atheists

I was delighted today to get a stack of mail from a group of Southern California atheists. They were upset by our billboard, and felt so strongly about its message that they sent individual letters. The message simply said, "Atheist: Someone who believes that nothing created everything. A scientific impossibility." I can understand why they are mad. The atheist's belief that he has no belief that there was a Creator, is an intellectual embarrassment.

The mirror

"It is strange that you believe God created a set of rules that we are supposed to live by and created these rules and we humans in such a way that none of us can follow them. We all sin. When we sin God blames us for following our nature and being incapable of living sin free."

That won't hold water of Judgment Day. It wouldn't even work in civil court: "Judge, society's rules are too hard to keep, and you are trying to blame me when it's merely my nature to violate the law."

Let's ask the question as to which of God's "rules" is unfair? Is it the one that says it's wrong to lie? Steal? Murder? Adultery? Perhaps it's the one that says that we should love Him above all things. But the First Commandment is reasonable. God gave us life and every blessing we enjoy. All the rules do is what the mirror does for us each morning. It shows us that we need to go to the water and wash. It reflects the truth. The mirror of God's Law shows us that we are ungrateful, sin-loving sinners who desperately need to be washed from the uncleanness of our sins. And that was the purpose of the cross. Jesus took the punishment for our sins so that we could be morally clean on the Day of Judgment.

Lust and the pleasures of sex

"Ray teaches that lust in the heart is a sin. Lust is a biological impulse, not a freely chosen activity." Chris Blanchard

Before we look at the issue of whether or not lust is a sin, let's define the word. Lust is "unlawful" desire. It is not to be confused with the sex drive. God gave us the pleasures of sex, but it came with an instruction Book. The Bible tells us that it is to be confined to the institution of marriage. That's the rule. All around us we see privileges that come with rules. If you have the privilege of driving a vehicle, the rule in the United States is that you stay to the right side of the road. Drive on the left and you will cause big problems. Think of the marriages that have been destroyed because the rules were broken. Think of the STDs that plague humanity because the rules were broken.

Adultery begins in the mind. It is an unlawful desire. The thought precedes the deed, and God Himself says that if you desire to commit adultery you have as much as done the deed. He also warns that if you hate someone, you have as good as killed them.

The Scriptures tell us that we share our thought-life with the One who gave us a brain. He sees what He created, and He destroyed an entire generation "because the imagination of their heart was continually evil." So pleading that you couldn't help lusting will not exonerate you from moral responsibility and its terrible eternal consequences.

However, repentance and faith in Jesus will.