Lesson 11 January 4, 2004
R. His systems of Anti-Theistic thought:
1. Atheism - which says there is no God and
leads to Nihilism,
which is a lack of belief in anything, no purpose for life. Hedonism is also an outgrowth of this. 1 Cor
2. Agnosticism - which answers the question "Does God exist?" with "I don't know or I don't think you can know."
3. Evolution: cf 2 Pt 3:3ff Uniformitarianism - all is the same today as yesterday
a. Theistic evolution says God caused it to begin. cf Gen 1
b. Atheistic evolution says nothing caused it, it just happened.
c. The ultimate result of Atheistic evolution is "Materialism" which bases their philosophy on reality of a material existence only;
4. Polytheism claims that there are many gods with attributes and functions spread out among them.
5. Idealism say that everything is getting better. PMA group - create your own reality. (Schuller - his mentor was Norman Vincent Peale)
6. Realism says that everything that is in existence is made of material. If we can't feel it or touch it, it doesn't exist.
7. Pantheism says that God equals everything and vice versa.
God is in and a part of all of creation, not distinct from it.
8. Deism says that God created everything perfect, but at the fall ceased to have anything else to do with His creation - does not act in or towards His creation.
9. Positivism says that you can only know in part through reality.
10. Monism says that there is one principle in the universe all reality is one substance, can be either good or bad.
11. Dualism. Yin/Yang philosophy. there is a good/bad, light/darkness in everyone even their pantheistic god.
12. Pluralism says that there are as many worlds (as many realities) as there are minds to make them. i.e. you are a figment of your imagination, make your own reality.
13. Humanism says that man in essence is god and man can solve all man's problems.
Is man the only creature of God in this vast space, among these multitudinous bodies out there floating in these galaxies?
Has God no other creatures of intelligence to praise Him for all His works and to serve Him?
1. ANGELS - Some basics:
A. The existence of angels, spirit beings, is easily documented from Scripture:
1. Activity is recorded from Genesis to Revelation; throughout the whole of the Scripture:
- are mentioned in 34 books including the first and the last
2. 108 times in O.T; 165 times in the N.T.
3. aggeloj, 165 x’s, basically means messenger.
4. $lm mal’ak, also means messenger; responsibility is 3-fold; to carry a msg; to perform a specific mission/task; to represent the one sending him.
B. Jesus Christ recognized and taught their existence.
Doesn’t argue for their
existence; presents them as fact; Mt
1. - ministered to Him after the temptation by Satan in the wilderness. Mt 4:11
2. - taught that the eternal state in resurrection would be like angels - no marriage; no propagation. Mt 22:30
3. - angels will be a part of
separating the righteous from the unrighteous at the end of the tribulation. Mt
4. - they will accompany Him at His second advent. Mt 25:31; 2 Ths. 1:7
5. - Not only did Jesus Christ teach that angels are real and exist but there is also a clear pattern of angelic ministry to Him through out His life and ministry: Announced his birth; ministered to Him after the temptation;