Mr. Gary Lee

Thankful for you and especially to learn of your faith in the Bible, the living Word of GOD written.

I ask GOD to sanctify ("set apart") our minds as I attempt to teach these points:

 

1. GOD, The Necessary Being: Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omni-present, Transcendent and Immanent.
2. GOD's Revelation: Truth vs. the Mind of Natural Man
3. The 5 Modes of Sin: Unbelief, Rebellion, Doubt, Deceit and Ignorance
4. 3 Modes of Thinking: Empiricism, Rationalism and Biblicalism
5. The Bible, its Supernatural origins, and the many translations of the various texts.
6. The Triune GOD: Salvation, Religion and the many historical belief systems
7. Sheep and Goats: The Narrow Gate that Leads to Life, Never Ending
8. Progressive Revelation: The Long War Against GOD and HIS Providence

First, some preliminary comments.

The long war against GOD and HIS Bible - the book of Scripture - continues. In this essay I offer selected Bible verses in support of the 8 topics. To find relevant Biblical contexts, I will use a few translations that seem clearer or easier to understand, i.e., plain or less confusing. The Bible is unique in that it interprets itself, thus requires much study: https://www.openbible.info/topics/study_to_show_thyself_approved

I am aware of some of the many resources and helpers in one's study of the Bible but caution is required. Some actually harm the search for finding truth, are tainted by the traditions of men. Among many resources, I suggest these are trustworthy:

• How books of the Bible were accepted by the early Church:

  https://www.gotquestions.org/canon-of-Scripture.html

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_of_the_New_Testament_canon

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_of_the_Old_Testament_canon

  https://rts.edu/people/dr-michael-j-kruger/

  https://www.aomin.org/aoblog/about/

• Useful, compact Study Bible: https://reformationstudybible.com/
• Historic Protestant Creeds and Confessions { https://www.biblestudytools.com/history/creeds/confessions/confessions/ }
• Church Councils often err and confuse, yet somewhat helpful to understand Church history:

  https://www.ecumenicalexaminer.com/councils

• Church history: Read Robertson's, Houghton's and Wylie's histories:

  http://gdwm.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Sketches.pdf

  https://archive.org/details/sketchesfromchur0000houg/page/8/mode/2up

  https://doctrine.org/the-history-of-protestantism

• Concordance and Bible Dictionaries, are prime repositories defining terms within the Christian faith:

  https://biblehub.com/concordance/

  https://www.biblestudytools.com/concordances/strongs-exhaustive-concordance/

It may lead one to consider the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek languages used by GOD to convey to us the Bible.

I admit my Protestant and personal bias. Raised in a nominal Christian home, attending a Missionary Baptist church a short walk from our home, yet I was "born again" in October, 1992 at age 45. A new desire emerged. Wanting to understand, I then started learning and gaining new knowledge both by observations (the book of nature) and by the Bible (the book of Scripture). I praise GOD the Holy Spirit for leading and transforming my mind, thus "I am thankful that GOD spared me of my Daddy's religion. But I am thankful for Dad's and for Mother's lovingkindness, mercy and long suffering with this wicked sinner."

Who should we believe?

"10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these people [the Bereans] were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Therefore, many of them believed, along with a significant number of prominent Greek women and men." Acts 17:10-12 NASB

I hope you will consider two faithful Protestant Bible teachers. First, the Protestant theologian and pastor, the late R.C. Sproul Sr. (1939 - 2017) who teaches fundamental facts concerning GOD's eternal "Being": https://www.ligonier.org/learn/conferences/orlando-2004-national-conference/aseity-of-god-2004-national

Next, a pastor for over 50 years, John MacArthur may be the best bible teacher in my lifetime. Read his sermon "Who is GOD?", https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/1213/who-is-god March 19, 1972. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

1. GOD, The Necessary Being: Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omni-present, Transcendent and Immanent.

1. There is but one only, living, and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withal, most just, and terrible in his judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.
2. God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them. He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things; and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever himself pleaseth. In his sight all things are open and manifest, his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to him contingent, or uncertain. He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands. To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience he is pleased to require of them. WCF CHAPTER 2 Of God, and of the Holy Trinity

2. GOD's Revelation: Truth vs. the Mind of Natural Man

• "But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14 NASB
• "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:6-8 AKJV
• "Jesus responded and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.' ” John 3:3 NASB

3. The 5 Modes of Sin: Unbelief, Rebellion, Doubt, Deceit and Ignorance

• "And so we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief." Hebrews 3:19 NASB
• "20 Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 21 Be attentive to him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your rebellion, since My name is in him." Exodus 23:20-21 NASB
• "7 But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious. 8 “Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth wide and eat what I am giving you.” Ezekiel 2:6-8 NASB
• "But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:6 NASB
• "but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." Mark 4:19 NASB
• "17 So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, that you are to no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their minds, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecent behavior for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness." Ephesians 4:17-19 NASB
• "The heavens tell of the glory of God; And their expanse declares the work of His hands." Psalm 19:1
• "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:20 NASB
• https://biblehub.net/search.php?q=ignorance

4. 3 Modes of Thinking: Empiricism, Rationalism and Biblicalism

• "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee." Proverbs 23:7 KJV
• "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" Philippians 4:8 KJV
• "5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ," 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
• https://biblehub.net/search.php?q=mind+think+thoughts

Rationalism: knowledge can be discovered by thinking. Empiricism: knowledge can only be discovered by experience, observation and measurement. Biblicalism: " 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." John 17:17 NASB

Closely related: "12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Romans 12:1-3 KJV

5. The Bible, its Supernatural origins, and the many translations of the various texts.

• Life itself is a miracle as are the Words of Life. The Bible is unlike any other because it is supernatural in origin, proven by its preservations over centuries and its wisdom and power to change people, communities and nations.
• ”14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works…. 13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments." 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 4;13 KJV
• "And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening." Acts 28:13 KJV

One noteworthy book, by Josh McDowell, "Evidence that Demands a Verdict". Among Protestant scholars I commend Dr. Michael Kruger: https://rts.edu/people/dr-michael-j-kruger/ * and Dr. James White https://www.aomin.org/aoblog/about/ Trustworthy scholars have written and defended the sources, ancient texts, delivered to us. A selection follows.

• https://www.josh.org/manuscript-validate-old-testament/
• https://www.britannica.com/topic/biblical-literature/Old-Testament-canon-texts-and-versions
• https://www.britannica.com/topic/biblical-literature/Early-versions
• https://www.britannica.com/topic/biblical-literature/New-Testament-canon-texts-and-versions

6. The Triune GOD: Salvation, Religion and the many historical belief systems

• Dr. Sproul established his ministry organization, Ligonier Ministries, Orlando, Florida. In the video, he teaches the 3 distinct Bible-belief systems and their origins in Christian church history.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35A3oXb661k
• A Reformed theologian, he was pastor of St. Andrews Episcopal church in Sanford, FL. His focus is GOD’s Holiness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._C._Sproul “Renewing Your Mind” is on many Christian radio programs, i.e., Joy620 AM daily at 10:30am and 6:30pm.
• https://renewingyourmind.org/

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7. Sheep and Goats: The Narrow Gate that Leads to Life, Never Ending

• "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." Proverbs 14:12 ESV " 13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Matthew 7:13-14
• https://www.gracechurch.org/Sermons/4907
• https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+7&version=ESV
• "14On the contrary, the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may follow it. 15 “See, I have placed before you today life and happiness, and death and adversity, 16 in that I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, so that you may live and become numerous, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to take possession of it." Deuteronomy 30:14-16 NASB

8. Progressive Revelation: The Long War Against GOD and HIS Providence

• "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world." Hebrews 1 ESV
• https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/progressive-revelation
• https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-is-progressive-revelation/
• "7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth." Ephesians 1:7-10 ESV
• https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/providence-of-god

Founder of Institute for Creation Research (ICR), the late Dr. Henry Morris (1918- 2006), in his book The Long War Against God (1989), a long-time opponent of Christian Compromise with evolution, presents in riveting detail the very old plan to undermine God's Word.

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/providence-of-god

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/providence-of-god

In recent years Dr. Stephen C. Meyer reveals the science that in fact defeats the "new atheism". Yet it won't go away! (See attached papers.)

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/providence-of-god

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/providence-of-god

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"For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), “I am the Lord, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:18 NASB

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+45&version=NASB1995

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!...

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Romans 10:10-15, 17 (NIV)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+10&version=NIV Sola DEO Gloria, May 22, 2023 by