Question of the Week: Is faith the absence of reason and evidence?

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Latest Answers August 31, 2019 View in browser Are Atheists Right? Atheists often accuse Christians of believing things or having "faith" without evidence and like to remind them of the old adage: "faith is believing what you know is not true." In the eyes of many atheists, "faith" has become a buzzword for putting your intellect out of gear and for believing something without any reason or evidence for it (i.e., blind faith). But are they right? Is faith the absence of reason and evidence? Get Answers What Are Humans? What is it about certain behaviors that prompts us to call a fellow human an animal, whether in jest or seriously? It is any behavior that we deem less than civilized, behavior that we associate with animals more than with humans. But do those behaviors mean those individuals are actually animals?  Find Out More Jesus, Scripture, and Creation Simon Turpin looks at what Scripture says about the identity of Jesus, creation, the reality of Adam and more in this DVD/booklet combo. Pack  $18.98 $14 .99 What Does Scripture Say? In this combo, AiG–UK's Simon Turpin looks at what God's Word says about the identity of Jesus and what he believed about the nature and truthfulness of Scripture. He also digs into the New Testament and reveals what it teaches about creation, the reality of Adam, the flood of Noah's day, the age of the earth, and more. Order Now Squirrels Produce Squirrels (Just Some Have Black Fur) A recent study found that, in both gray squirrels and fox (red) squirrels, the black fur on some squirrels is caused by a variant form of the same gene. Learn More → Judge Rules in Transgender Student's Favor in Restroom Case A case in Virginia involving a transgender student and restrooms has been settled by a federal judge. The case was decided in favor of the transgender student. Learn More → Ark Encounter or Disney World? A family in Michigan had a choice to make. Should they go to Disney World or visit the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum? And they chose the Ark and museum! Learn More → Doing a Report on Creation vs. Evolution We think it's great so many young people are interested in writing on "Creation vs. Evolution" and want to provide some guidelines for students. Learn More → Explore Days are Back! If you are looking for a way to enhance your 2019–2020 school year, then consider sending your children to the Creation Museum for our special Explore Days! Learn More → See More Teach through the Bible in four years with this chronological Sunday school curriculum for all ages. Get equipped to confidently share the gospel and biblical authority with this award-winning worldview magazine. Teach kids that the Bible is more than a dusty book of stories so they can trust its life-changing message of salvation! Copyright © 2019 Answers in Genesis, All rights reserved. 2800 Bullittsburg Church Rd. Petersburg, KY  41080

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

I do not say that no Catholics are real Christians. Any who have personally repented of their sins and have trusted Jesus Christ to forgive their sins and save their souls are saved. No doubt some, despite the trappings and forms of Romanism, have in their hearts found the Saviour. But Romanism is a terrible curse. Any true children of God who are in this unscriptural organization which pretends to forgive sins and pretends to have the sole authority of Christ on earth should come out and follow the Bible instead of following the teachings and traditions of the unscriptural Roman Catholic Church. - John R. Rice

A long face is a poor signboard for Jesus. - John R. Rice

I have always maintained the position that faith in God and Christ is the most reasonable and sensible thing in the world, and that no honest, intelligent Christian has anything to fear from honest investigation and from the truth, found anywhere. - John R. Rice


I could not promise to explain every word in the Bible. You see, God is bigger than man, and God's book is wiser than any man's book. But, thank God, I have again and again proved that the Bible is scientifically accurate, historically correct and morally perfect, so I would be unscientific and going by my prejudices and not by the facts if I did not accept the Bible as the very Word of God, which it has proved itself to be. - John R. Rice

Do not tell me that when we preach that God saves people forever, we are encouraging people to sin. No; we are encouraging them to trust the One who knows they cannot save themselves, cannot keep themselves and so they need to trust Him for daily help, then they can live far better lives than if they were depending upon themselves. - John R. Rice 


No one is a better Christian who plays down the grace of God in order to play up human righteousness. - John R. Rice

A woman writes that her husband claims to be saved but she knows he is not because he smokes. A pastor tells about a drunkard who was saved or claimed to be saved, but this pastor knows he was not because later he fell into sin and drank again!

Preachers like this, perverting the Gospel of God and thus more or less unconsciously teaching salvation by works, love to quote the Scripture, "By their fruits ye shall know them." They claim they can judge people whether they are saved.

That, of course, is a misunderstanding, a perversion, of that Scripture, but they think it gives them a right to pass judgment on whether one is saved or not. Actually, it specifically says one can know false teachers by their doctrine. - John R. Rice [Great Controversial Subjects Settled from the Bible, pg.35]

SEEING THE INVISIBLE GOD

1 Timothy 1:17

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. TRUST THE INVISIBLE KING RATHER THAN A VISIBLE KING [Heb. 11:27]

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Moses did. Aaron did. Daniel did. David did. Solomon did. Paul did.

1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1. Paul knew the Invisible King would win the Duration contest.

2. Paul knew the Invisible King would win the Divine contest.

3. Paul knew the Invisible King would win the Dignity contest.

II. TRUST THE INVISIBLE CREATOR RATHER THAN THE VISIBLE CREATION [Heb. 11:3]

1. Paul knew God Created by His Word [Heb. 11:3]

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

2. Paul knew God Created by His Power [Romans 1:20]

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

3. Paul knew God Created by His Son [Colossians 1:12-16]

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

III. TRUST THE ETERNAL RATHER THAN THE TEMPORAL [2 Cor. 4-5]

1. Paul knew Glory outlasts Affliction [4:13-18]

2. Paul knew the Heavenly Body outlasts the Earthly Body [5:1-8]

3. Paul knew that Heavenly Treasure outlasts Earthly Treasure [5:9-12]

BURDENS? WHAT BURDENS?

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. SOME BURDENS ARE MEANT TO BE SHED [Ex. 6:6-7]

1. The Burden of Our Sins [Psalms 38:4]

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

2. The Burden of Man-Made Religion [Isaiah 58:6]

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Luke 11:46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

3. The Burden of a Sin-Cursed Existence [2 Corinthians 5:4]

For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

II. SOME BURDENS ARE MEANT TO BE SHOULDERED [2 Chr. 2:17-18]

1. The Burden of a God-Appointed Mission [Numbers 4:15]

And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Numbers 4:19 But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden:

Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

2. The Burden of A God-Honoring Lifestyle [1 Corinthians 8:1-13]

Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

3. The Burden of A God-Glorifying Attitude [Galatians 6:3-5]

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

III. SOME BURDENS ARE MEANT TO BE SHARED [Neh. 4:16-23]

1. With the Lord [Psalms 55:22]

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

2. With the Lord's People [Exodus 18:22]

And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

2 Corinthians 8:13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

3. With the Lost [Matthew 23:4, Exodus 23:5]

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.