Creation and Politics

PNG radio for today's culture and timeless truths come together it's reasoned relevant content apologetics worldview and answers to the questions that you need to know need to know from Alex McFarlane ministries. This is true for a new generation radio and now the man who preached in 50 states and 50 days, writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarlane Colossians chapter 1 has so much to say about Jesus Christ.

The preeminence of Jesus Christ and the fact that he is not only the son of God, and the second member of the Trinity, but he is the creator and it says this in Colossians it says that all things were created through him and for him. Verse 16 he is before all things and in him all things consist or hang together and Jesus is not only the creator. The preeminence of the God of creation, but the Savior and the head of the church. Verse 18 of Colossians 1 says he Jesus is head of the body, the church who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things Jesus might have the preeminence.

Welcome to TNG radio hi Alex McFarlane here. So glad you're with us were continuing a series were doing on apologetics and defending the faith and were going to talk about that but I want to thank you for listening and thank you for your prayers and support for all the things that the Lord is calling us to do in using us to do to evangelize the lost and equip the saved but you know what is interesting people gets creation wrong and invariably they get God wrong if if they're wrong about creation if they think we evolve through the universe is eternal Lord that somehow just accidentally all of this incredibly finely tuned universe just brought itself into being. Somehow I was on the road this week. I was actually in Colorado working on a curriculum for a ministry out there and I picked up the newspaper as that is ideal is at the airport and there was an article about interfaith discussions on this article in good faith conversation at the crossroads, so they pose questions to several Christian leaders and I saw my friend Jim Daly the leader Focus on the Family and he's always got a good word to say but they ask for faith leaders. No list of this question.

Is there anything that is not God. If so, can you tell me what that is. No Jim Daly props to Jim Daly he says from the Christian perspective God alone is God and everything else is not God pantheist that means a belief that everything is God analysts. That means that God is in physical objects like trees, Jim Daly says, pantheist and animist insist that everything is God in one way or another, but this is not biblical as theologian Rudolph Otto once expressed that God is quote holy other WHO LOL why God is holy other distinct from the University created so there's creation and the creator, but it's amazing hear what the other clergy said to this question. Here is the leader of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Colorado Springs and it's a female minister of the Unitarian church and she says this quote I don't believe there is anything in nature. That is not God, meaning that we are all one in nature and we are therefore all God, she says we are all made of Stardust.

Okay, this sounds like a David Bowie song. But anyway, we are all made of Stardust, the same elements that are the cause for our existence also comprise the moon and the stars and the other planets.

There are many things that are not godly and we have created a lot that is not divine and here's what she says racism, misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia, transfer, be a destruction of our planet from for corporate greed. These elements don't exist in nature and therefore aren't godly, it appears the rest of creation continues to evolve while humanity is devolving. If we ignore our natural condition and continue to strive for power over sin there won't be much godlike in humankind at all okay. There's so much we could say and I don't want to get us off track here but II think about some of these political labels that flow out of her theology that is basically pan- theism that we all our God, and to disagree with. That means that your racist, misogynist, xenophobic means you're afraid of those that are different from a different country homophobic trans phobic. If you disagree with him. The sexuality cemented today. Don't acknowledge that you might have a moral and theological and scriptural reason for doing that. It's not that anybody's afraid or phobic or hateful. It's just that we believe there are some things right and some things wrong and here's a fallacy called reductionism. Now reductionism. Think of the word reduce to say that something is quote nothing but this are that the destruction of the planet for corporate greed. So another words if you're engaging in commerce. If you're a capitalist if you're working in either building a business or working for business. For one thing, there's this fallacy that it is quote nothing but corporate greed that doesn't necessarily follow it all in. The other thing is if you're engaging in free enterprise. You are necessarily destroying the planet. That doesn't follow necessarily at all either notes interesting. The prime destructors of the planet are the socialist/communist regimes that so many on the left want America to emulate China as the number one polluter of the planet right now, but at any rate, it takes courage and honesty and humility to acknowledge God and to amend one's life in light of God's revelation when we come back on TNG radio within a couple more about Colossians and then more about our apologetics rising to the challenge of first Peter 315 being ready to give an answer and defending our faith. Satan TNG radio is back after this from. I am a watchman ministries.

Here's today's I am a watchman minute do you study the word of God. It's a discipline God appreciates and expects to see in his people in the book of acts. Believers in the early church were commended because they studied the Scriptures daily. When you hunger for God's word. You will find wisdom, insight and blessing. In fact, hunger for the word is an evidence of true faith in Christ. The I'm a watchman ministry exist to inspire, encourage and equip believers.

The llama watchman ministry offers free resources designed to help you learn who Jesus is what he has done and what he is about to do. There are articles, e-books, teaching kids, videos, and more. Don't be content with the basic knowledge of God and spiritual things dig deep for that's where the treasure is, people. Be faithful, be a watchman, I am a watchman.com you know Alex is been writing for many years, and one of his classic books is still great. Today is a basic introduction to the Christian faith. It's called stand corkscrews must know for unshakable faith. This book will help you help your teens get off the roller coaster of doubt onto solid ground will read about the six pillars of biblical Christianity. They are one inspiration of the Bible to the virgin birth. Three.

The deity of Christ for atonement. Five. Christ's resurrection and six. Christ's return know Alex mixes it up with humor and stories gleaned from decades of working with youth and encourages things to build a foundation of faith that will stabilize their lives and help them take a stand for Christ. Simple and straightforward stand for truth. You must know for unshakable faith available wherever Christian books are so willing to do something we like, and why we don't follow traditions merely for the traditional biblical worldview and search for reasons behind the answers for the Christian dig deeper engagement anything relevant from the reviews and like in the believer spiritual share. Truth engage magazine. You don't need to have a Bible degree from Liberty University's are great worship of mankind making make life more violently when you're ready for a religious studies degree find more than 60 ministry degree options – there stood Dr. ministry one little black great forgive any courses at Liberty University where we train champions for Christ.

That liberty.\explorer to learn more as liberty EDU\explorer to learn more for apologetics, resources, books by Alex McFarland and to find out where Alex is speaking to visit Alex McFarland.com Genesis 11 begins with these famous men words in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Welcome back program Alex McFarland, you're so honored that you listing. Thanks for listening to TNG radio and were going to continue talking about apologetics because as I said you what you believe about creation definitely is tied to what you believe about the create tour God and I dialogue nowadays a lot of people that I've had it hard they've never had a good family situation a financially it's tough.

A lot of young people died that there's a reason that they get into.

They being in cannabis and intoxicants and alcohol is a reason that many young people lose themselves in fantasy games and some engage in promiscuity and sex.

It's it's the craving for what scholars call transcendence, something beyond ourselves something bigger than ourselves. We always want to feel like were part of something with some permanence because we look around and we realize life doesn't have a lot of permanence you're one of the great things about the Christian worldview. People often ask me and why do you believe this in the Alex we heard you say on the radio that you believe the Bible is the word of God and why are you so in a enthused about these things will you. I gotta tell you some of the blessings of being a Christian Unisom 103 says do not forget all of his benefits are blessings. It's a blessing to know that your sins are forgiven. It's a blessing to know that you have a home in heaven.

It's a blessing to know the Holy Spirit indwells you it's a blessing to know that God hears your prayers. It's a blessing to know that you will be reunited with loved ones who went on and they were believers and you'll see them again.

That's a great blessing is a blessing to have purpose in life and listen. Whoever you are my dear friend, you have a purpose.

There is a reason God put you here.

It's a blessing to be alive. I think it's a great blessing to still be in the land of the living life is hard sometimes there's you know struggles we all have, you know, things that are stressful and things we have to work through with God's help but in a bottom of the page being alive is a net positive. Could we agree on that.

It's good to be alive. Life is a real gift, but I want to tell you one of the reasons that I I am so excited about the biblical worldview the Christian worldview and that we we do rejoice in life and we are grateful to God and we do want the whole world to know the love of Jesus I'll tell you one of the things that excites me most about Christianity is, I don't know any simple way to say it but to know what's going on. I meet people say will my goodness you know what what terrorist nations have access to nuclear weapons and oh my goodness you, what about this coronavirus in a worldwide epidemic.

And what about the rise of communism in dictators and in a what about the immorality in the breakdown of the family. The mainstreaming of homosexuality and just so many things going on and what in the world does the future hold the Bible says that we can know and that this is so exciting certain knowledge is possible about our past and present in our future. One of the reasons that I am utterly committed Christianity and very enthused that is Frank. I think it's a blessing just didn't do know what's going on in history that passed God created man fell. That's Genesis 3.

But God had a plan for salvation. Genesis 12 he called Abraham he said I'm in a make you a great nation. I'll send my son to be the Savior now throughout the Old Testament Israel would fall away from God. See Satan was trying to derail God's plan of salvation and the chosen nation through whom God had promised to send the Messiah. Satan did his utmost to try to stamp them out and but it never never worked because God is not going to be put in checkmate and ultimately finally Jesus is born. CS Lewis said it rebuilt poetically that God had a plan and Satan had thought that plan and all of history comes down to this moment in the New Testament we see a Jewish girl at her prayers and the angel appears to Mary and says hail Mary highly favored 111 and you will be Emmanuelle God with us. So Jesus was born and Jesus died and rose again. He ascended to heaven Pentecost In the spirit of God was given the church was born. Peter preached and the disciples grew and they spread and fanned out across the globe 2000 years later we are deep into this thing called the church age Bible says near the end of time Israel will be regathered and will become a nation again. That happened 72 years ago and it says that evil men will wax worse and worse. The Bible says that one day one day the planet will be so technologically advanced that people will know your every move everything you buy and sell will be known about in the Bible even seems to predict that we will have these digital footprints on most that would enable governments and malicious people to track where we go and what we do and what we purchase and friends were there where where there now there's going to be a tribulation period of of literal hell on earth. I believe the church will be caught away and taken out and ultimately the armies of a fallen world will coalesce and will gather at a place called the Valley of Megiddo to try and fight and finally kill off God and Jesus will return victorious will be a thousand years of peace on earth, after which time eternity proper will be ushered in.

So here's the deal it for a Christian's life always problem free and without any stress. No Christians have their troubles to Christians can get cancer.

Christians can be unemployed. Christians can have the same struggles of anybody else but one of the reasons. Like I say that I'm so excited and have peace in my heart all of the blessings of being saved, but it is such a joy just to know what in the world is going on. The Bible says that before Christ returns.

The will be a time of apostasy and falling away from truth. Other people do know truth.

Now how does God's creation reveals frequently come back without a brief break folder look a little bit. Psalm 19 looking to talk about how we know truth how we indeed are accountable for truth and how we can live proclaim and even defend state to TMG radio truth for a new generation with Alex McFarland were back after this.

Christians don't necessarily agree with one another when it comes to questions of religious pluralism, homosexuality, the role of government portion of the war.

Too often, we manage these disagreements by ignoring them, yet were called to engage the world for the sake of Christ. How can we be effective if we avoid society's most pressing questions in 10 issues that divide Christians Alex McFarland challenges us to drill down to the biblical score of 10 current issues such as social justice evil and suffering, photography, and environmentalism as he echoes the biblical invitation, this reason together only by engaging the Scriptures deeply thinking clearly and speaking truthfully can we, in God's family address our differences and discover the peace that comes with unity of purpose.

10 issues that divide Christians find this book and many others@alexmcfarland.com. If you're a Christian. You of course want to instill a biblical view of life in the hearts of your children, your pastor, you want to offer ministry that draws young families to your church. This is Alex McFarland encouraging you to check out my new book and video curriculum. The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask about Christianity.

I interviewed hundreds of children ages 5 to 12 and we address actual questions from actual children. The spiritual issues that are on the minds of your kids Jesus everything the book and video lessons are great for groups of any size and was produced with the goal of equipping kids to stand strong for Christ in any situation. The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask the book study guide and video series. You'll find it@afastore.net that AFA store.net timeless truths in the soundbite culture for a new generation radius will connect program will get a look at something in a minute but I do want to remind you, coming up is our summer apologetics camp. We do this every year the theme is unashamed is going to be July 20-24 were going to be in Western birth Alina all the great camp stuff zip lines in the rope course and all that stuff that this is for middle school through high school were going to be talking about how do you look Christ. How do you know that your saved, how you stand strong and yoga.

Talk about things like defending that God exists and that the Bible is true and were going to talk about America America's godly foundations last year we had 86 decisions for Christ.

We had kids from seven states it's going to be amazing. I want to challenge you invest a week that will count for eternity. The unashamed TMG summer camp is coming up July 23 24.

You can get complete information at our website which is Alex McFarland.com just my name Alex McFarland.com the time to register is now.

Space is limited and and I just want to say this of all the kids that come to our apologetics camp every summer. They always say this is the most fun I've ever had. I will never forget this. I've got a good strong handle on my faith very often will hear from young people, and they go to our camp and not only did I get a fire for Jesus, but that they'll write me by you know a month or so into school because we do it right before school goes back in those I have led some of my friends to Christ.

I started a Bible study with my buddies at school so it's it's worth it folks and it is so needful. It is so needful assured the statistic the other day that every year of Sunday school spiritual training youth get about 153 hours of church a year, but how much screen time Internet videos, mobile devices, 2800 hours a year so I may think about that. So it's worth it. TMG campus coming up in July and we would love to see your family, your youth group your youth there and again the website Alex McFarland.com will in some 19 talks about God's creation, revealing absolute truth.

Psalm 19 two through seven explains this the heavens declare the glory of God.

The firmament proclaims the work of his hands. Now the firmament is outerspace. It's the atmosphere above earth and out there the stars and the planets and the Bible talks in the book of Genesis about the firmament separates the waters from the waters.

What does that mean while there are waters on earth the ocean the water table. Then there are the waters in the heavens. And there's so precipitation that falls before the flood of Genesis. There was a vapor canopy up in the space, and much of the water of the flood came from that but the firmament you look at this space and it does proclaim the work of God's hand you look at the creation and you invariably think of a creator. In fact, Immanuel Kant very famously said two things fill the mind with ever increasing all and wonder the story heavens above me, and the moral law within me.

I we could do a week of shows just on that made if you know besides the Bible which is valid besides Jesus, who is risen, we just think about the creation and morality you look at the firmament, but some 19 says the firmament does proclaim the work of his hand, you think about our conscience due to evolution has no answer for conscience into why do we feel bad when we do wrong, but some 19 says Dan today pours forth speech night and tonight whispers knowledge there is no speech, no words were the voice is not heard. A report goes out through all the earth. Their messages to the ends of the world he has pitched a tent in them for the sun okay in the firmament God has put the planets and the sun did you happen to see the photo just this past week they've taken the most detailed photo ever of the surface of the sun and they said it look like caramel popcorn and it really did make some of your smiling because you saw that in the news. That's right, in their talk about this unimaginably hot burning star that we feel the heat from just think about the seasons winter we just are. A few degrees more distant from the sun and the world becomes dangerously cold.

It's just end in summer the shape of the ellipses, the orbit rings us a little tiny bit closer and we get really hot.

It's amazing the sun. This incredible ball of energy and gas and heat and light that without it life on our planet would not be possible. And it comes forth like a bridegroom from his canopy and joyfully runs its course like a hero from one end of the heavens. It comes forth and runs its course from one end of the other. Nothing escapes its heat see this creation points to the creator of the Ladino, much as been made about the fine-tuning of the universe and even scientists talk about what's called the Goldilocks zone. What is the Goldilocks zone. Well, you know, Goldilocks and the three Bears and this bed is just right and this porridge is just right. Goldilocks thrived with those things that for her taste were just right. It was she did to the bearskin hump and here's the point when scientists talk about the Goldilocks zone they're talking about planets that could sustain human life and they theorize there might be many. But they say well we would not found them yet and we've not found life anywhere else but why is it that human life is here on earth. Well, it's because God created it that way. But what an amazing thing and and we also have what's called the teleological argument, the design argument that this universe seems uniquely designed for life. There is a purpose and you know the Darwinian evolutionary model that there was no God.

We just evolved out of nothingness.

It takes so many leaps of logic and and just leaps of faith, something came from nothing, something turned into something else. Chaos with was the mother of order inanimate matter was the basis for consciousness and thought and of a random lawless universe birthed order, law, and structure just impossible, and so the design of the universe points to a designer defending the faith is predicated on you having the faith you know about God or do you have a relationship with God.

One thing to know about God. It's another thing to personally know God and I hope that you do know God thesis classifies a prayer and if you never called on Jesus for salvation do that today. Keep us in prayer as we evangelize the lost and equip the safe and thank you for listening. We hope you'll join in again next time with more of TMG radio TMG radio is made possible by the friends of Alex McFarland ministry, PO Box 10231, Spero, NC 27404.

That's PO Box 10231, Greensboro, NC 27404 call us at 877 yes God for. That's 877 yes, God in the number one or give online@alexmcfarland.com while you're there, listen the program archives.

Read Alex's blog invite Alex to speak at your event or contact Alex with a question or comment, Alex McFarland.com. Thanks for listening today and join us again next time. As we bring you more true for a new generation TMG radio