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<GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY>
<18 September 2002>
-<CONTENTS>-
1) <Devotional> "No meaning from matter" - Ravi Zacharias
2) <Doctrinal> "In the beginning it was not so!" (Pt-20)-C.E.Wigg
3) <Prophetical> "The Redeemer's Return" (Pt-30)- A.W.Pink
4) <Apologetics) "Christian Apologetics" (Last Part) -M. Copland
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(1) <DEVOTIONAL> <SLICE-OF-INFINITY>
NO MEANING FROM MATTER
Ravi Zacharias
Yesterday, we briefly explored the problem of finding meaning when one
holds to naturalism-that is, believing that scientific laws can account for
all phenomena and denying the super-natural (for instance, God and
miracles). Today, I want to introduce a counter-perspective. For indeed,
there is something, rather, someone beyond us who offers a compelling
framework for meaning.
In his book Meaning, philosopher Michael Polanyi stated that by reducing
life to atomic elements and blind forces, science has, in effect, made the
pursuit of life's meaning meaningless. Polanyi warns us that it is not for
science to make this determination because scientific method can only
address the question of what-nature and matter-but not why-the purpose of
such matter.
And yet the stuff of reality, again, the "what," and the purpose driving
reality, the "why," are inextricably bound together. Science tends to
reduce all of reality to the "what"-the material. But surely only as one
understands the "why" of life can the "what" be defined, for it is the
"why" that provides the glue and our purpose for why we are here in the
first place. Simply put, if I am an intentional creation of God, then life
must be deemed sacred, for there is a built-in purpose to my existence. But
if I am merely the product of time and chance, the body may be profaned,
for life itself is disposable. In fact, in a naturalistic framework the
words "profane" and "sacred" are only descriptive of one's feelings of
reverence or irreverence. In a world without God there is no essential
meaning or sanctity to humanity.
What the brain is to the body, the mind is to the soul. Fulfillment and
purpose may only be known by a mind because such experiences require that
which is essentially personal: joy, love, beauty, wonder. We can move from
mind to meaning but not so easily from matter to meaning.
That is why, after explaining the "what" of our universe, Stephen Hawking
ends his book A Brief History of Time with these words: "Now if we only
knew why, [then] we would have the mind of God." His inescapable
implication is that the answer to the final question would have to come
from a mind that transcends our material universe. There is a mind beyond
us which has infused our world with meaning and purpose-the mind of God.
My friend, a meaningful "why" for reality can only have its source in the
very mind of a personal God.
---
Copyright (p)(c) 2001 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM).
Reprinted with permission. A Slice of Infinity is a radio ministry of
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.
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(2) <DOCTRINAL>
IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS NOT SO! (PART-20)
THE SUPPORT OF GOD'S SERVANTS (1/2)
Charles E. Wigg
....
In our previous article, we were discussing the means in the early Church,
whereby those called of God were prepared for service. Let us now look
at the way in which they were supported. It is clear from the study of the
Scriptures, that there was no organisation, as such, of which the servants
of God were members, or whom they obeyed, or from whom they received
their directions, or from whom they received any salary or stipend. How then
did they exist, or get enough financial support, to carry on their work? Can
such a system as they followed work today? The answer is yes!
The Lord Jesus taught those whom He sent out, the principles that should
govern His servants today. First He sent the twelve, Matt. 10, & later He
sent the seventy, Luke 10, 1-12. He gave the same instructions to both,
and the seventy He sent out two by two. The clear instructions as to finance
were that they were to take none with them. They were not even to take any
change of clothes, but were to go out in simple daily dependence upon God,
their Heavenly Father. It is to be granted that they were not to go beyond the
boundaries of Israel, and all their journeys they could undertake by walking only.
However in modern days, when modern transport makes it easy to cross back
and forth across nations and even the world; yet the simple principle; that of daily
dependence upon God, should still be practiced by God's servants.
Those Apostles and servants of God 'in the beginning' were not motivated
by greed. They did not demand special treatment, or the luxuries of the day.
When large sums of money were laid at the feet of the Apostles, they did not
take or use it for themselves, but used it for the relief of need amongst the believers.
We have proof of this, because when accosted by the lame beggar, and asked
for alms, Peter replied, "Silver and gold have I none". From chapter six of Acts,
we learn that the Apostles regarded the supervision of finances as a mundane duty.
They considered the teaching and preaching of the word of God to be of much
greater importance.
[To be concluded]
---
[Reproduced with permission]
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(3) <PROPHETICAL>
"THE REDEEMER'S RETURN" (PART-30)
THE FACT OF THE REDEEMER'S RETURN
Arthur W. Pink
....
6. The Fact of the Redeemer's Return is illustrated in the Gospel narratives
We refer now to the incident of Christ walking over the water to the aid
of His storm-tossed disciples, the dispensational significance of which has
already been pointed out by several writers.
Immediately after our Lord had fed the five thousand, He retired into a mountain
while His disciples went down unto the sea, and entering into a ship, they essayed
to journey to Capernaum. But as they rowed "the sea arose by reason of a great
wind that blew." It was dark, and Jesus was not come to them, and all the progress
they had made after hours of hard rowing was "twenty-five or thirty furlongs." Then
it was that Jesus drew nigh, and with a gracious "It is I; be not afraid" He stilled their
fears. The statement that follows is a remarkable one--"Then they willingly received
Him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went"
(John 6:15-21). At the risk of being considered "fanciful" we shall attempt to
expound the typical and dispensational bearings of the above incident.
Christ on the mount, praying, points to His present position on high where
He is interceding for us at the right hand of God. The restless, tossing sea,
aptly figures the world's unrest in its opposition to God. The ship in the midst
of the sea represents the Church which is in the world but not of it. The storm
beating down upon the ship caused by the "great wind" that blew, prefigures the
attacks and assaults upon the Church by the "Prince of the power of the air,"
seeking to destroy it during the time of Christ's absence. The rowing of the
disciples and their failure to make headway against the storm, shows the
powerlessness of the Church to improve the world as such. Nineteen centuries
of Gospel preaching and Christian witnessing have failed to effect any real change
in the world at large. The unrest of the world still continues, its hostility while not
so open is yet just as real, and Christ is "hated" as bitterly as ever. The Church
may pull at its oars, but it cannot still the sea--the storm will not be hushed until
the Lord Jesus appears! All that the disciples could do was to keep the ship from
sinking, and in that they were successful. There again our type is perfect. The world
may be hostile to the Church and Satan may fling his angry winds and waves against
it but, as its Founder declared, His church is built upon the Rock and "the gates of
Hades shall not prevail against it," and blessed be God they have not. After almost
two thousand years of human and Satanic opposition, after every conceivable
weapon has been employed to encompass its destruction, Christ's Church still
survives. And in the midst of the storm; at the darkest hour, in the fourth watch,
Christ came to the deliverance of His disciples. So it will be at His Second Advent:
He will come back to and for the Church which He ransomed with His own blood.
He came to His disciples and, be it noted, He appeared not with a word of reproach
but with a message of cheer--"It is I; be not afraid." Thus will it be at the Redeemer's
Return: He will descent from heaven with a shout of welcome, bringing joy and
gladness to the hearts of His own. Observe the blessed sequel--"and immediately the
ship was at the land whither they went." The typical meaning of this is obvious: when
our Lord comes back again the Church's conflicts will be over, its journey is then
completed, its voyage ended, its destined harbor is safely reached.
"Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
"For the coming of the Bridegroom,
Whom, tho' yet unseen, we love;
For the King of saints returning
In His glory from above;
For the shout that shakes the prison,
For the trumpet loud and clear,
For the voice of the archangel,
The Church is waiting here.
For the light beyond the darkness,
When the reign of sin is done;
When the storm has ceased its raging,
And the heaven has been won;
For the joy beyond the sorrow,
Joy of the eternal year,
For the resurrection splendor,
We are waiting, waiting here."
[To be concluded]
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(4) <APOLOGETICS>
"CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS, AN INTRODUCTION - (LAST PART)"
M. Copland
....
CONCLUSION
1. This is what you MUST believe if you do not believe the New Testament
when it speaks of the miracles and resurrection of Jesus Christ:
a. It is a carefully orchestrated lie!
b. The authors suffered extreme hardship for what they KNEW was a
lie!
c. Those authors who were martyred KNEW they were dying for a lie!
d. In suffering and dying for a lie, they went against everything
Jesus and they themselves taught!
e. And somehow, these liars, frauds, and deceivers came up with a book
containing the world's highest standard morality and loftiest
goals!
2. I am convinced that those who do not believe the New Testament are
those who:
a. Have never read the New Testament carefully
b. Are not aware of the evidence which supports it as a historical
document
c. Have not considered the logical implications of simply regarding
it as a mixture of fact and fiction!
3. But to those who will read it, I believe that they will find...
a. That it has "the ring of truth" to it
b. That it will produce the faith necessary to believe in Jesus (cf.
Ro 10:17), and through such faith find eternal life (cf. Jn
20:30-31)!
4. There is a saying: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't
make him drink."
a. What I have tried to do is remove any obstacles that might hinder
anyone from drinking of "the water of life" (i.e., the New Testa-
ment)
b. But no one can present enough evidence to FORCE someone to read
the New Testament if they are determined not to!
Have you read the New Testament? Even more important, have you OBEYED
the New Testament?
FOR YOUR FURTHER STUDY
The evidences supporting the Christian faith are numerous and this study
has only skimmed the surface. For a more indepth study on this subject,
I recommend beginning with the following books:
1) EVIDENCE THAT DEMANDS A VERDICT, Vol. I (Josh McDowell,
Here's Life Publishers, San Bernadino, California, 1986, 388 pages)
2) THE NEW TESTAMENT DOCUMENTS: Are They Reliable? (F. F. Bruce,
Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1975, 120 pages)
These two books can be ordered from:
Florida College Bookstore
1-800-922-2390
119 Glen Arven Ave.
Temple Terrace, FL 33617, USA
[Concluded]
---
[© M. Copland 2002 - We are grateful to Br. Copland for having kindly
permitted us to share his works for bringing glory to God. May
we pray that God would continue to bless him and his ministries - Ben]
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