Dr. Frank Harber, Science And The Bible

By Paula Marolewski

How to know God’s will is probably one of the most-studied topics for Christians of all ages. It takes the form of the question: “How do I know God’s will?” Whether we’re talking about the broad scope of “God’s will for my life,” or the smaller scale of “God’s will for me in this situation,” the question is asked constantly. And, like all questions, it has innumerable wrong answers, misunderstandings, and skewed viewpoints attached to it.

One of the biggest myths about how to know God’s will is the belief that the will of God is a roadmap. Here’s how this looks in someone’s thoughts: “In this situation, God’s will is either A or B. If his will is A, and I choose A, then everything is fine. If I choose B, then I’m outside of his will.”

We run into problems with this point of view, not on the little scale, but on the big scale. For example, let’s say someone holds this point of view. The logical argument looks like this:

* God’s will is a roadmap.
* Since God’s will is a roadmap, I am supposed to get from point A to point B. The destination is the most important point.
* At every decision point in life, I have to make the right choice in order to stay on the road.
* If I make a mistake, I get off the road.

The problem with this myth is found right here: if some mistakes are uncorrectable and irreversible (i.e., they leave lasting consequences and permanently alter the choices you will have in the future), then you could make a mistake that could cause you to miss out on ever arriving at “point B” on God’s roadmap for your life. Therefore, if you assume that God’s will is a roadmap, you’d better make sure you never make a mistake.

However, God knows that - whether through outright disobedience or honest ignorance - we are going to blow it. We will make mistakes, we will sin, and we will royally screw things up. Therefore, we can make a deduction: since God knows we will blow it, yet he does call us to know and do his will, his will has to be big enough and full of enough grace to cope with the fact that we are going to make some whopping sins and mistakes.

Where can we go with this? We see that the roadmap point of view is insufficient. If it were true, we could never hope to “do God’s will.” We’d step out of line, not once, but many times, and lose the possibility forever.

But we know that we can do God’s will. We can live in his will:

* Ephesians 5:17 says, “So then, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
* Romans 12:2 reminds us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
* Jesus himself summed it up when he said in Matthew 5:48, “You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

These verses give us a hint as to what God’s will is really about - how we can transform the roadmap myth into something true and right and good.

If we paraphrase the above verses, they would say, “To know and do God’s will be wise … sanctify your mind … seek good, acceptable, and perfect things … be yourself sanctified and holy … live your life in imitation of Christ.”

Do you notice a word that’s missing? The word “choice.” It’s not there. Instead, all the words are about who we are inside. And that tells us something very key: God’s will is not so much about choice as it is about character. What God wants most is not that you “arrive” at point B (whether that is a certain career, accomplishment, destination, etc.), but that you become who he has called you to be.

So let’s destroy the myth that God’s will is a roadmap. God’s will is not primarily about getting us from point A to point B. It’s about becoming Christ-like. And that, at its core, is a process. It’s daily life - step by step, and day by day. We can therefore transform the myth into the truth: the will of God is a journey.

As a journey, the will of God can cope with all the twists and turns of life - good and bad, holy and sinful, wise and foolish. Why? Because God has promised that he can use everything in our lives for our good (Romans 8:28). Everything - nothing is excluded. The person who loves God can be assured that he can know and live God’s will - no matter what his past is, no matter what sins he has to overcome, no matter how long the process takes - because the will of God at its most basic level is about becoming more like Christ every day.

By Mark E. Baker

The thought life is the beginning of victory or the beginning of defeat. Victories are won and lost here. The battle starts here and is won or lost here. Much is said in God’s Word about our thoughts and what we do with them.

Proverbs 23:7 for as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

You are not going to be victorious if you are always walking in a defeated attitude. You will not even fight because you see yourself as having already lost the battle, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
God has a better way for His children. As a matter of fact He has already set the example for us in His thoughts toward us.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

If God will not think bad or evil thoughts toward us, who are we think bad or negative thoughts toward ourselves? We shouldn’t. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.

This is not just talking about the male gender but mankind as a whole. As you think in your heart so you are. That is a pretty sobering thought isn’t it? What are your thoughts?
Many would say I can’t help what I say. God’s Word says yes you can therefore you can, but there are some steps we all must take.

Your mind is sort of like driving a car; you have a steering wheel that controls the direction of the car. If you turn it to the right it will go right and if you turn it left it goes left. That is such an obvious statement that it sounds silly, however the same principle applies to our Christian life. This very simple principle of God’s Word is ignored by the great majority of Christian believers. I see it all the time .I am not saying this to point my finger, as I was there once myself, but to encourage people into a better way. It is something we all must continually put into practice.

Do you think anybody just went into a bank one day and robbed it without premeditation?

I don’t think so. He would first have put much thought into what he was going to do. You have the choice to turn yourself over to these kinds of thoughts. They don’t just happen without your permission.
Do you think someone would have an adulterous affair with absolutely no thought about it first, no again? As a man thinks in his heart so he is. You begin steering your mind into an unlawful U turn before you actually turn the wheel don’t you. If you put enough thought into it, you most likely eventually do it. Change your thoughts.

We can turn our mind into the things that pertain to life and Godliness.
The other side of the coin so to speak is that we can turn our minds into the things of God.
God has given us very powerful weapons to help us control our thoughts and in turn fulfill prove God’s Word true.

2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

5. casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6. and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Thoughts can become strongholds or they can be the vehicle we steer to the obedience of Christ. Cast down these worldly thoughts and replace them with God’s thoughts.

The Apostle Paul said to the Romans …
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Your mind is renewed by God’s Word; it is not renewed by watching television or playing video games. I am not saying not to watch television or play video games, but if television or video games is more important to you than God, then you will program the computer that is your mind with these things rather than God’s Word. The choice is ours and ours alone to make. Too much of anything can be a bad thing. The Apostle Paul said …

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Things that are lawful can dominate us and bring us under their power if we let them.
We must cast down these worldly thoughts and replace them with God’s thoughts. We do this by changing what we think on. What we put into our minds is what will go into our hearts and eventually be what comes out of hearts abundance. As Jesus said …

Matthew 12:34 “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
35. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil

man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

We can’t let out hearts get full of the wrong things. In order to prevent that from happening, we must not allow our minds to spend too much time on things that are lawful but at the same time not expedient. Too much ice cream can be a bad thing. Too much of any good thing can be bad for you. So, enough said.

We have control over our thoughts and our thoughts have control over our faith and our faith has control over our destiny.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things.

The Apostle Paul is telling us what to think on, or literally to meditate on these things.
Strong’s definition says to take an inventory, and also, to reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).

Something happens in this process. Some people think of meditation as some kind of mystic eastern religious thing, but this is not what God’s Word is saying at all.
When you spend time pondering God’s Word, it will change you like nothing else I know can. It will renew and transform your mind which will allow you to prove the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

You might say, what is proving God’s Word. Proving God’s Word to be true is seeing God’s Word and God’s will manifest in your life and that of your families. This is God’s will for us. Remember what His thoughts are toward us. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Our part is to do what His Word says to do in order for the purpose and divine will of God to be manifest in our lives. This is God will.

I want to end with a favorite Scripture of mine.

Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

When we follow God’s directions we get God’s results. W.E. Vines Old Testament dictionary says this means “to meditate, moan, growl, utter, speak.” to murmur; by implication, to ponder:

You are thinking and pondering and then literally speaking out of your mouth what you have been pondering.

Lets prove God’s Word true, He is no respecter of persons. He wants our way successful.

Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Do you want to be a joint heir with Christ?
If so, I urge you to earnestly pray the following prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. Your word says, “…and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (Jn.6:37),

So I know You won’t cast me out, but You take me in, And I thank you for it. You said in your Word, “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Ro. 10:13).

I am calling on Your name, So I know You have saved me now, You also said, “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” (Ro.10:9,10).

I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification. And I confess Him now as my Lord, Because Your Word says, “… with the heart one believes to righteousness…” and I do believe with my heart, I have now become the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:21),

And I am saved! Thank You, Lord!
I can now truthfully say, I see myself as a born again child of God!

Glory to God!!!! Amen.

By Arthur Levine

A gallant band of true believers, operating in total secrecy, have uncovered proof positive of the existence of God. These faithful searchers have been inspired in their search by documents handed down through the ages such as the Bible, but their discovery of God’s existence was enabled by one of the oldest methods available to mankind.

The search for God’s existence, which was not aided by computer models or modern technology of any kind, relied almost wholly on the most primitive of human skills and abilities – the ability to think.

Buried in the deepest recesses of the human mind, this faithful group of searchers for God’s grace found the answer to the most important mystery of our universe. How we got here and how we can prove that God is real.

They have determined that each human being has been instilled by our Creator with a special gene that acknowledges that God exists. It is up to each and every one of us to strip away our inhibitions and unlock our imaginations so that we may recognize and accept the existence of God.

This is not the stuff of fabled theories, or the ranting of some fanatical group. This is the inherent craving of man’s desire to find God, which has been genetically instilled in us by the Almighty Himself.

The millions of people who do believe in God have made this fantastic and miraculous discovery possible. The proof is irrefutable.

Do not doubt the proof. The proof is within you. God exists and is always with you.

Author: Frank Harber Ph.D

The universe exhibits an incredible design and purposeful order. The universe displays numerous complex and remarkable organisms that defy any naturalistic explanation. Earth is the home of wondrous creatures such as the archerfish which can shoot water 15 feet into the air and strike an insect. The universe is perfectly designed for supporting intelligent life forms.

Because the universe is so intricately designed, it is highly improbable it could have originated by accident. This world contains 11 million different kinds of species. Each of these represents an amazing design of engineering and life. Yet, man, in all of his intelligence, is not even able to create one new species.

Pollster George Gallup once commented that the existence of God was statistically provable: “Take the human body alone — the chance that all the functions of the individual could just happen, is a statistical monstrosity.”

Every intelligent design indicates a designer. The greater the design, the greater the designer. The complex structure of the universe declares that there had to have been a great Architect. An accident could not have formed our great universe. Beavers who construct small pond dams could never construct a dam comparable to Hoover Dam.

There is a great intelligence behind nature. We pay homage to this concept whenever we use the term “Mother Nature,” in referring to the intelligence behind nature. Almost all of the complex discoveries of modern science, such as electrical, mechanical, acoustical, and optical phenomena, are already present in nature. Consider the sonar of porpoises, the frequency-modulated radar of bats, and the aerodynamics of the hummingbird.

Reason tells us that there must be a great Designer who has designed and continually maintains our universe.

Author: Frank Harber Ph.D

The brain weighs just over three pounds but can do what tons of electrical and electronic equipment cannot. It contains up to 15 billion neurons, each a living unit within itself. Over 100 thousand billion (1014) electrical connections are present which is more than “all the electrical connections in all the electrical appliances in the world.” Every cubic inch contains a minimum of 100 million nerve cells interconnected by 10 thousand miles of fibers to other nerve cells in the brain.

Michael Denton comments:

Even if only one-hundredth of the connections in the brain were specifically organized, this would represent a system containing a much greater number of specific connections than the entire communications network on earth. Because of the vast number of unique adaptive connections, to assemble an object remotely resembling the brain would take an eternity even applying the most sophisticated engineering techniques.9

Could such sophisticated design and engineering have occurred by accident?
The human eye contains 130,000,000 light sensitive rods and cones which generate photochemical reactions that convert light into electrical impulses. An incredible one billion such impulses are transmitted to the brain every second.

The eye can make over 100 thousand separate motions and, when confronted with darkness, can increase its ability to see 100 thousand times. It comes complete with automatic aiming, automatic focusing, and automatic maintenance during one’s sleep. To think that thousands of chance mutations accidentally formed such a structure is impossible.
Also within the evolutionary framework, the eye would have needed to evolve several times in the different kinds of species, such as squids and arthropods. The human eye is so sophisticated that scientists still do not fully understand it. Such an intelligent design points to a Designer.
The cell, which was thought to be of very simple design in Darwin’s day, is now known to be highly complex. A single bacteria cell is only 1/1000 of a millimeter and yet its complexity is comparable to a chemical factory. Functions and tasks are carried out by the thousands.

The cell has energy generators, defensive systems, transport systems, food factories, protective barriers, waste removal structures, and communicational processes both inside and outside its own cell limits. Human beings have up to 100 billion of these self-contained cities.

The complex molecules within even one cell contain a vast information content so great that evolution could not be possible.

By: Jerry Richard Boone

What more can be said? Quite a bit, say the ancient Hebrews. According to them, we have barely begun to scratch the surface. They tell us that their race has been favored with a number of special revelations. Those special revelations, they claim, bring a unique Jewish insight into the relationship between God and man.

What have we got here? Old wives’ tales? Myths? Legends? Jewish superstitions? Or could it be, there’s more to it than that?
Down through the centuries, many people, both gentiles and Jews alike, have agreed with the ancient Hebrews. They believed God has, for one reason or another, given the Jews certain “inside information.” Educated as well as uneducated people, intelligent as well as unintelligent people, and rational as well as irrational people have held this view.

Quite a few suffered and died for these beliefs. No one is willing to suffer and die for views they hold lightly. Since we know that to be the case, let’s take a closer look at what these ancient Hebrews have to say.

Fall of Man
One of the earliest stories tells about the fall of man. Here is the story: Disposable humans were not a part of God’s plan. The first people were designed as immortals. God granted them supreme authority on earth. They ruled over animals, plants, and everything else they found in their domain. God provided them with an ideal environment and satisfied all their needs. God, man, and nature lived in harmony. But it was not to last.

God didn’t want automatons. What would be the point? He wanted living, breathing, thinking beings who would obey him of their own free will. Of course, he knew he was taking a chance. Allowing them independent minds, they might rebel against him. And rebel they did.

A single act of defiance threw everything out of kilter. The close relationship between God and man broke down. Immortality was lost; everyone lived under a sentence of death. Nature turned against man producing thorns, thistles, and poison ivy. Animals turned to preying upon each other and upon man too when given a chance. Man was reduced to hard labor for his food. Woman suffered birth pains. Envy, jealousy, hate, murder, and a host of other problems soon beset mankind.

God’s Plan of Redemption
Those independent thinking humans quickly proved to be disloyal, ungrateful, and hardheaded. In site of that, God didn’t give up on them. He went to work steering, or attempting to steer humanity back on the right course. What did God do?

“He selected one particular people and spent centuries hammering into their heads the sort of God He was - that there was only one of Him and that He cared about right conduct. Those people were the Jews, and the Old Testament gives an account of the hammering process.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

Hebrew Prophets
Over the centuries a number of Hebrew prophets arose claiming they were inspired by God. Were they just a bunch of religious fanatics with vivid imaginations and a taste for the limelight? When you read their stories, that is not the impression you come away with. In fact, you get the idea that running around telling people they are wrong and God is “going to get them” was not considered a plum job.

Moses wanted no part of it. He begged God to choose someone else. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, was timid by nature. He didn’t want the job. Jonah ran away and hid, trying to avoid making his prophecy. Elijah not only ran, he even asked God to kill him so he wouldn’t have to continue his prophesying. These men weren’t looking for fame and fortune. They would have much rather that God just leave them alone.

Perhaps you are wondering, just how good were these sometime reluctant prophets at predicting the future. You may be surprised. They were pretty good at it.

Franklin Analogy
Suppose, just suppose for a moment, that around the middle of the eighteenth century, Benjamin Franklin wrote in his Poor Richards’ Almanac: “Eisenhower will liberate Europe.” What would Franklin’s readers think of that? Certainly, they would find it curious. “Who’s this Eisenhower?” they would ask.

Good question too. The man would not be born for another hundred years. Then he wouldn’t come to the public’s attention for another fifty years or so. And, why would Europe need liberating anyway? Europe during Franklin’s day was as free, probably more free, than any other place in the civilized world. That being the case, Franklin’s hypothetical prediction would stand out as a double oddity for well over a century and a half.

Then dramatic events begin to unravel. In the 1930’s and 40’s, Hitler’s military juggernaut rolls over Europe conquering the continent. Britain barely manages to hold on. Then it happens. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander, leads the multi-national 1944 invasion liberating Europe form the Nazis.

What had been a long standing curiosity, suddenly becomes an amazingly accurate prophecy. How could Benjamin Franklin have known what would happen some two hundred years later? A lucky guess? No, it’s too detailed to have been a guess.

Had Benjamin Franklin actually made that prediction in 1750, we would still be talking about it today. A prophecy that exact and that correct would be remembered for centuries to come. However, if we go back to 700 B.C., we discover a prediction ever bit as curious as the one I devised for Franklin.

Isaiah’s Prophecy
The prophet’s name is Isaiah and his prophecy was: “Cyrus will permit Jerusalem to be rebuilt, and the temple foundation laid.” As you can well imagine, the people of Isaiah’s day found the prediction a bit odd.

“Who’s this Cyrus” they asked. Good question too. The man would not be born for another hundred years. Then he wouldn’t come to the Jewish public attention for another fifty years or so. And, why does Jerusalem need to be rebuilt and the temple foundations laid?

Jerusalem, during Isaiah’s lifetime, was already there. And the temple, built by Solomon, was still standing. Both Jerusalem and the temple would remain intact for over one hundred years after Isaiah uttered his prediction. That being the case, Isaiah’s prophecy stood as a double oddity for well over a century. Then events begin to take place.

Jerusalem fell to Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C. He carried off Judah’s King Jehoiachin and a number of the city’s leading citizen’s into exile. In 586 B.C., the Babylonian king returned and destroyed both Jerusalem and the temple.

Cyrus II came to the Persian throne in 558 B.C. Nineteen years later, he took Babylon on October 13, 539 B.C. In his first year, 538 B.C., Cyrus issued a decree permitting the Jews to return from exile and reconstruct the Jerusalem temple.

What had been a long standing curiosity, became an amazingly accurate prophecy. How could Isaiah have known what would happen some 160 years later? A lucky guess? No, it’s too detailed to have been a guess. Isaiah must have been privy to certain “inside information.” Something or someone gave him the message: “Cyrus would order Jerusalem to be rebuilt and the temple foundation laid.” The prophet isn’t secretive about his source. He informs us: “This is what the Lord says.”

A written prophecy that becomes history 160 years later should make us sit up and take notice. That is something out of the ordinary. But is this an isolated case? No. A number of Hebrew prophets demonstrated the same uncanny ability to look into the future and predict what will happen. Some of the most profound prophecies were long range predictions for nations and their people.

By: C. Read

There were eight crusades to retake once former Christian lands, occupied by the violence of Turks and Muslims during the pre-modern period. These episodic events ranged over a period of rougly 200 years from 1096 to 1299 A.D and they constitute the awakening of Europe from a fetal-positioned backwater to emerging colossus. These complicated, seemingly futile but ultimately transformative feats of military, religious and economic power, are of course hated today by the ignoramuses in the media and academia. Without the crusades the modern world would not exist as we know it.

There are many reasons to make this claim – but none of them will appear in ‘academic’ circles or in the media disinformation outlets. The Crusades were critical for the creation of the modern world, premised on European ideals, economics, science and innovation. The Crusades though they ultimately failed in achieiving their primary objective – the retaking of the Holy Lands for Christianity – did succeed in forcing Europeans and their gathering civilisation to create the basis for the world as we know it.

How did this happen? We are relentlessly told by multi-cultural relativists, lovers of all things Muslim, or the weak and effeminate that the Crusades were a failure and that worse, they were bloody orgies of violence and death. The truth is as one would suspect, rather different.

The Crusades were a very slow response to Muslim aggression, war, piracy, rape, looting and occupation of vast tracts of land and sea which had once been Greek, Jewish and Christian. The lands stretching from Judea, through to Turkey and the Balkans and around the North African coast to Spain and southern France, once completely Judeo-Christian had been savagely Islamicized.

Sources, first hand accounts, and archeological evidence makes it clear that literally millions of Jews and Christians had died in this Muslim imperialism. Cities were ransacked, treasures looted, women raped and millions were sold into slavery. Millions more were forcibly converted on pain of death, obscene taxation, or total loss of assets, to Islam. Contrary to the multi-cult myth making, Arabs and Muslims were not ‘native’ to any of the lands of the Near East, Africa or southern Europe. Their vicious onslaught slaughtered millions. Their predations included the rape of Rome and other major European centers. Design for the complete conquest of Europe were always in planning.

Yet from about 630 A.D. until 1096 A.D. the European Christian powers did nothing. For 400 years they bickered amongst themselves, made alliances with the pagan Arabs and their Muslim converts, ignored the obvious threat to their survival and engaged only in ad hoc and sporadic efforts to push out the invading Muslim hordes from their bloody holdings.

The Franks under Charles Martel who defeated a 40.000 strong Muslim army under the Spanish Emir at Tours in 732 A.D., and his grandson Charlemagne who took punitive expeditions against the Muslims along the Franco-Spanish border, were alive to the threat that Islam posed. For many other states however, weak, divided, feudal and disorganised, the threat whilst real, was too potent to face. Europe was partitioned and failing.

As the tide of Islamic violence and cruel imperialism contined to flow the Europeans in the late 11th century finally reacted. The Seljuk Turks, recent converts to Islam had smashed the Byzantine army – and Eastern Rome’s empire – at the seminal battle of Manikert in 1071. The Eastern Roman Emperor appealed to Catholic Rome and Christian Europe for help. Without Western aid he said, Christianity in the East would be extinguished.

Fired by the thoughts of destroying the heathen Turks and Arabs; reconquering the Holy Land; the attraction of plunder and women; and the purging of all sins; the Western Christians, after 400 years of being on the wrong side of the global war finally took action. In a huge staged performance in 1095 Pope Urban II at Clermont France roused the crowd and Europe with chants of “God wills it !” — “God wills it !” The Pope declared that these words should be the battle cry of Christ’s soldiers in the holy war, and commanded that all recruits should attach to their garments the form of the Cross. For all who participated taxes would be abolished, sins expiated and a sure path to the side of Christ reserved.

This first crusade headed by eminent knights and leaders was the most successful. It was an expensive undertaking for a relatively small force. Perhaps 30.000 professional military men from across Europe participated in the first crusade with maybe 3.000 heavily mounted knights. This force ably lead and bold, retook the holy Christian sites of Antioch, Tyre, Acre and Jerusalem. It was a stunning achievement and within 3 short years, by 1099, Jerusalem and was again Christian.

The first crusade was an enormous achievement that still remains unappreciated. The crusading armies had to be transported over 1500 miles from the European heartland, to Constantinople and then to march southwards through Turkish territory over rough, unknown terrain to the Levantine coast. The logistics of food, water, weapon and material supply were complex enough.

The political and military complications were even more worrisome. Rivalries, jealousies, language and national ambitions all played their part to disunify the crusading hosts. Yet somehow they persisted. With the help of the Byzantine Greeks, the Europeans were able to overcome various Turkish forces and eventually with good leadership and some luck, force their way into Jerusalem.

This first crusading force whilst small compared to the Turkish hordes of the Near East, were nonetheless far better equipped, trained and resourceful than their Turkish adversary. Yet to equip just one mounted heavily armed knight might cost 6 months of the average knights income and many more months of expenses for retainers, food, and weaponry.

In short perhaps each knight would cost one year’s revenue for the average European squire. The crusades were thus enormously expensive yet somehow for 200 years they were maintained. Given the crudity of intra-European trade and economic flexibility in the pre-modern period, and the amount of treasure expended in the waging of war against the infidel, it would not be a surprise to learn that 25% or more of European GDP was spent on the crusades. A feudal system after all is far less elastic than one built around on an industrial-technological base.

The new Kingdom of Jerusalem did not long last. Of the eight crusades only the first and perhaps the third under Richard the Lionheart were successful. The Muslims eventually drove out the Christians and massacred and sacked Christian forts, towns and treasuries. The crusades were certainly bloody, but war usually was and usually is.

Much is made of the Christian destruction of Muslim and Jews alike in 1099 in the retaking of Jerusalem. This was hardly unique. Muslims enthusiastically slaughtered Christians at Antioch, Acre, Tyre, Sidon, Hebron, Constantinople, and Nicasia to name but a few cities put to the Islamic sword. Rape, gold, slaves and power were never far removed from the Muslim mind in their zeal of conquest. More important to the West was the degrading and evil spectacle of the Venetians using the fourth crusade to attack, destroy and loot Constantinople. An ungodly act which ensured that the Turks would take the city and its empire – which they did in 1453.

The crusades were in the main however a success on many levels. The latent power of Europe – when united – was plain to see. The crusades stimulated trade, industry and lead directly to the destruction of feudalism. In the Knights Templar international trade and banking was pursued transformating the European economy; and in the Knights Hospitallers modern ideas of medicine and caring for the sick were introduced.

By: Roger and Eileen

Have you ever thought about ‘the law of first impression,’ spiritually speaking? This law says that the FIRST thing we are impacted with (the first impression on us) is the most influential. Other, subsequent things are less influential. This can be applied to anything in life.

THE FIRST SEED SOWN INTO US This ‘law of first impression’ can be called ‘the first seed sown into us.’ The Bible talks a lot about the principle of sowing and reaping (for instance Galatians 6:7 - ‘what you sow is what you reap.’) It is also the oldest truth in the Bible, if viewed from the perspective of Genesis 1. Here it talks about things producing after their own kind. Thus, spiritually speaking, this is a very important concept to us: what we FIRST have planted into us is the most important thing to influence our lives. It can be as simple as ‘the first kiss,’ or something much more complicated.

‘Children live what they learn.’ This applies to children, but it also applies to a person of any age. What we are taught stays with us, - if what we are taught is right, or if it is wrong. If we are taught that 2 + 2 = 5, at an early age, we will tend to believe it, even though it is wrong. As an example, when I was in high school I saw the Jerry Lewis movie called ‘Pardners.’ When I got to law school I thought the title of the book called ‘Partnerships,’ was misspelled! Early on I had believed that ‘partner’ was spelled with a ‘d’ - not with a ‘t.’ “Children live what they learn.

‘SUNDAY SCHOOL 101′ Let’s apply this spiritually. What is the ‘first seed’ sown into most of us in what I humorously call ‘Sunday School 101′? It is usually the ten commandments. It is the concept of doing good, vs. doing bad. We should read our Bible, pray, go to church, and give lots of money. We should not lie, cuss, cheat, steal, commit adultery, kick the cat or be a brat. Thus, we come out of the shoot eating from the wrong tree: the forbidden Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This is most often our FIRST IMPRESSION of Christianity: do good and don’t do bad.

I read an article that made the point that few missionaries are really trained in the gospel of Jesus Christ. They know the gospel only as what was called ‘entry level Christianity.’ In other words, they knew how to get someone saved, but once this was accomplished, they knew nothing about getting people to ‘repent and believe the gospel’ (which was the first sermon of Jesus in Mark 1:15). The article said that few of the missionaries knew anything about ‘the higher Christian life’ - other than doing good and not doing bad. Thus, the most important thing they taught tribal converts was that, now that they were Christian, the women must cover their breasts, and the men must cover their butts.

If this is all that Christianity is to a person - doing good and not doing bad - they have missed ‘THE GOSPEL TRUTH.’ ‘The law of first impression’ has them trapped in a religious lifestyle, rather than living a truly spiritual life in Christ.

ARE YOU ADDICTED TO RELIGION? Many people go to church on Sunday to try to become ‘more like God.’ This was the first temptation of Satan: “You shall be like God” (Gen 3:5). It’s a noble, but totally impossible undertaking - we will never be like God. Yet, this is the addiction many Christians are fed from the pulpit: “Here’s another way to try to be more like God.” It’s like getting ‘a religious fix.’ Spiritually speaking it is more deadly than becoming addicted to drugs. Thus, Paul contrasts ‘10,000 instructors in Christ’ (who impart another new weekly fix) as opposed to ‘fathers of the gospel’ (I Cor 4:15). The religious addiction of the body of Christ is of a high proportion.

God’s kids (which includes Christians of all ages) are most often taught a religious lifestyle - not the gospel of the finished work of Jesus Christ. They don’t know the gospel as the power of God within them (Rom 1:16-17), but rather as something else they should - or should not do. It was ‘the first impression’ of Christianity they received in ‘Sunday School 101,’ and it’s the way the interpret everything.

In ‘The Parable of the Sower’ Jesus says we are required to UNDERSTAND the gospel of the kingdom of God (Matt 13:19, 23). He says this ‘gospel of the kingdom’ must be preached in all the world before the end will come (Matt 24:14). Revelation 14:6 says if WE don’t preach it, then ANGELS will.

By: Willian Verch

Answer quickly:

What’s the difference between Christianity and every other religion?

Can you do it in 30 seconds or less?

Well, I’d like for you to be able to do this.

Unfortunately, the answer isn’t good news. The answer is a truth that keeps so many from being willing to follow God. In fact, it’s really distasteful.

But my job isn’t to please your ears. My job is to tell you the truth. And here it is:

The Answer

Except for Christianity, every other religion in the world is basically a set of instructions on how to be good enough for God. Christianity is the ONLY religion that says, “You CAN’T be good enough for God.” It is the only religion with a Savior.

The world wants to believe that people are good, or that they can become good. The truth is that we are NOT good and that we can’t become good Period.

You simply can’t EARN your way to God, and that is what all of the other religions of the world are desperately trying to teach you to do.

Scriptural Proof

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call
Me good? No one is good except God alone. - Mark 10:18

Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one. - Psalm 53:3

All have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one. - Romans 3:12

Everyday Proof

Ask yourself these questions:

1.) Have you ever sinned?

If you are not sure, you can check yourself against the 10 Commandments. (Exodus 20:3-17). The Bible says that this is the whole reason WHY we were given the 10 commandments.

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. Romans 3:20

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

2.) Have you even known anyone who hasn’t sinned?

If fact, even if someone doesn’t accept God or the Bible, you can ask them if they have their own set of rules to judge what is right and what is wrong.

They will say “yes”, at which point you can ask them “Have you ALWAYS and COMPLETELY followed your OWN set of rules of right and wrong?” If they are truthful, they will say “no.”

Scripture backs up this truth too in Romans 2:14-15.

We are not good and we cannot become good. This is a hard truth, but it is true nonetheless. It is the core of Christianity.

How Does Obedience Fit?

I’ll take a full look at obedience in the future, but for now, just know that even many Christians get off track because they try to be “worthy” of the fact that Jesus died for them.

Don’t get me wrong, obedience is important, but it is important only because of a love response to God. Obedience tells God that you love Him.

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. - John 14:23-24

This is love for God: to obey his commands.- 1 John 5:3

Sum It All Up

We are not good and we can’t become good enough (on our own) to get to God. However, God decided to make a way, because He is perfectly loving and perfectly just. He did this by sacrificing His Son, Jesus.

If confronted about your faith by someone of a different faith simply ask them:

“Who or what pays for your sins?”

Other religions typically have a strong sense of justice. Where, then, is justice regarding their own sin?

We MUST have a Savior. Muhammad did not die for your sins, neither did Buddha nor Confucius. Jesus Christ is the only Savior the world has ever known. Other religions are counting on the mercy of God, but this denies justice.

It is the most incredible love story that God wanted you so badly that He made the sacrifice of His Son, so that you could be good enough - perfect, in fact.

The more I recognize my own sins, the more extraordinary this love story becomes. Not only that God accepts me, not even that He loves me, but that He has actually chosen me to be adopted into His family as His very own child! Amazing, beautiful and humbling.

Author: Frank Harber Ph.D

The message of Christianity centers around the truth that God became a man.

Many present-day skeptics have asserted that Christianity is a myth invented by a group of religious extremists. Some have sought to dismiss Christianity into the realm of fiction maintaining that Christianity holds to no historical basis. Some skeptics have even questioned whether Jesus actually ever existed. Such claims are never made by knowledgeable historians.

Those who have actually studied the historical authenticity of Jesus admit to being overwhelmed by the abundance of evidence that exists. Those who attempt to dismiss Christ as a myth simply do not do so on the basis of historical evidence. In fact, the evidence is so great that even if we did not have a Bible, we would still know the story of Christianity and of its Christ.

Many other secular writers refer to Christ and Christianity; these include Epictetus, Aristides, Galenus, Lampridius, Dio Cassius, Hinnerius, Libanius, Ammianus, Marcellinus, Eunapius, Zosimus.

Numerous references from Jewish rabbis also discuss the life of Jesus. Not even one of these early references ever questions whether or not Jesus actually existed, nor do any present-day historians deny the historicity of Jesus Christ.