Major World Religions - Part 1

References: (1) Both Islam and Christianity share some common beliefs. I refer you to the pamphlet Muslim and Christian Beliefs by Bruce McDowell and Anees Zara which gives 8 common beliefs. (2) Islam, Judaism, and Christianity honor Abraham as the progenitor of their religions. The frequent mention in the Qur’an of the biblical characters like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, and others, together with such NT characters as Zacharias, John the Baptist, Mary, and Jesus, appears to demonstrate a close relationship between the Bible and the Qur’an and therefore between Christianity and Islam. (3) Christianity views their God, Yahweh, the God who said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exod. 3:14). The God of Christianity is called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Christianity views Jesus as the Son of God, fully divine and fully human. He is the Lord and Savior; His death on the cross of crucifixion paid the penalty for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3) and His resurrection was for our justification (Rom. 4:25). (4) Islam DENIES Jesus was crucified (most Muslims believe He was taken to heaven without dying). Islam further denies Jesus was divine, and, in particular, denies He was the Son of God. (5) The biblical law of Moses, Psalms of David, and the Gospel of Jesus are accepted in the Qur’an, but Muslim scholars teach that Jews and Christians have corrupted these original revelations. (6) Many Muslims think that Christians believe in 3 Gods and are therefore guilty of the greatest sin what they call shirk. Muslims reject the biblical concept of the Trinity. (7) The resurrection is important because it PROVES Jesus’ claims to DEITY (Rom. 1:3). (8) The gospel NEEDED because it provides a WAY for humanity to be SAVED and RECONCILED to God. It offers FORGIVENESS of sins and a relationship with the Heavenly Father through faith in Jesus Christ. (9) In Christianity morality flows from the love of God and neighbor (Matt. 22:37-40); grace and salvation produces good works (Eph. 2:8-10). Good works are evidence of salvation. Only in Christianity is salvation offered as a free gift. Salvation is through Jesus Christ — not something EARNED, but something received by grace through faith in Christ. (10) In Islam, morality is based on obedience to Allah’s laws (sharia). Salvation depends on the balance of good and bad deeds. Christianity sees morality as a response to God’s grace; Islam sees morality as a means to EARN FAVOR with Allah. (11) In Islam, humans are basically good, but fallible and need guidance. The balance between good and bad deeds determines eternal destiny in paradise or hell. Allah’s mercy may tip the scales to heaven, as Allah’s will is supreme. This is episode 241.

References: (1) The New Age movement in addition to its PANTHEISM is an unstructured belief in the NETWORK of secular humanistic ideas and philosophies. (2) the term “New Age“ refers to the “Age of Aquarius,“ a phrase taken from astrology, which New Age followers believe that age has dawned. (3) New Agers believe that we must seek the divine within every one of us and so usher in a new millennium as a revived people. (4) The New Age movement has no church, no sacred books, no single leader, and no list of members. It is an UMBRELLA movement embracing a wide range of beliefs and practices. It is like a SPONGGE in the way it collects different ideas from different religions, cultures, and philosophies. It borrows numerous Christian words and often gives the false impression of being Christian. Their words have different meanings than in traditional Christianity. (5) their view of Jesus is he is not the true God, nor is he the savior, but a spiritual model and a guru. He did not rise from the dead, but “rose“ into higher spiritual realm. (6) The LAPD cold-case detective J. Warner Wallace says, “Nothing could be more diverse than the New Age movement when related to the IDENTITY of Jesus. (7) Wallace continues, “Since the 1800’s, many New Age spiritual movements have described Jesus as some sort of sage, teacher, or philosopher. (8) The New Age movement does not have the word “sin“ in its vocabulary. Since New Agers do not acknowledge sin or sinfulness, then as a consequence, New Age ELIMINATES the need for a Savior. Therefore, Jesus, as savior is not considered to be necessary. Nor is his death on the cross as a payment for the penalty of sin treated with any degree of respect. (9) All people need to,say New Agers, is realize their own divine nature. (10) They say what you need is to be SAVED FROM is not sin but IGNORANCE. (11) New Agers believe in REINCARNATION, that events in the world are influenced by the stars. They practice nature worship, and they say that humanity is not, at present, completely separated from God because of sin. (12) The cult expert Alan Gromes has stated: “Cults GROW OUT OF and DEVIATE FROM a previously established religion.” (13) Judaism acknowledges Jesus was a teacher and a rabbi. They grant that Jesus’ mother was named Mary. Judaism agrees Jesus had many disciples, and admits He was a miracle worker, was crucified on the cross, andHis followers reported He rose from the dead. But Judaism does not accept Jesus as divine nor as the Messiah nor as the Son of God. Instead, they view him as a false Messiah and a martyred Jewish rabbi. (14) Judaism celebrates many holidays and festivals, including Passover, Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths, Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Purim, a Jewish holiday, celebrating the saving of the Jewish people from a part of extermination in ancient Persia, as told in the biblical book of Esther. This is episode 240.

References: (1) These religions have a different worldview from that of Christianity. My purpose is twofold: (1) to understand some of what other religions profess and believe and (2) to subject these religions to intentional analysis concerning their founders, their view of God, of Jesus, of salvation, and their view of the afterlife. I have said these aberrant religions usually use Christian TERMS but they INVENT new meanings that are VASTLY DIFFERENT from their traditional Christian meanings. (2) We continue today to analyze Latter-day Saints. Allow me to use the abbreviation LDS to signify Latter-day Saints. (3) We continue today to analyze Latter-day Saints. Allow me to use the abbreviation LDS to signify Latter-day Saints. (4) In 1998, the Mormon prophet Gordon B. Hinkley CONFESSED that he believed in a different Jesus than the “traditional Christ” worshipped by those outside the LDS Church. He explained, “The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of who I speak” (LDS Church News on June 20, 1998). (5) Progressive Christianity is a spreading church movement in America that emphasizes SOCIAL JUSTICE, INCLUSIVITY welcoming and affirming LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized groups, and a WILLINGNESS to REINTERPRET orthodox Christian doctrines in light of contemporary issues. (6) Progressive Christians emphasize the ETHICAL TEACHINGS and EXAMPLE  of Jesus, focusing on love, compassion, and justice, rather than of focusing on specific theological doctrines. (7) Critics argue that progressive Christianity WATERS DOWN biblical authority, REDEFINES concepts like sin and salvation, and PRIORITIZES social justice ACTIVISM over individual CONVERSION and WORSHP. Some critics argue that this focus can OVERSHADOW or even REPLACE the core message of salvation by grace through faith in Christ and not by works (Eph. 2:8-10) and view it as a DEPARTURE from traditional beliefs and practices. (8) Progressive Christians view the Bible is merely a HUMAN DOCUMENT rather than affirming “all Scripture is INSPIRED  by God and PROFITABLE for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Some progressive Christians view Jesus as a MORAL EXAMPLE rather than as a DIVINE SAVIOR. (9) Progressive Christian gurus Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt, and Rob Bell have drifted away from a discussion about how to contextualize timeless Christian truth in ways that speak to the postmodern CULTURE and has instead come to focus on creating a TOTALLY NEW Christianity contrary to the warning of Gal. 1:6-10 about following a gospel contrary to what the Galatians received from the apostle Paul. (10) The term “New Age” refers to a movement that originated in the US in the late 1970s. It encompasses a range of beliefs and practices that blend elements of various religious traditions, Eastern mysticism, and esoteric philosophies. It embraces pantheistic ideas from traditional Hinduism, some forms of Buddhism, Christian Science, and many forms of contemporary belief advocated in America by former California governor, Jerry Brown, Shirley MacLaine, Depak Chopra, and Oprah Winfrey. Millions flock to Oprah Winfrey’s public lectures and swallow her deceptions hook, line, and sinker.  All the while she is shellacking the skids into hell. (11) New Agers think “God” IS the universe. And they teach we are all divine. This is contrary to what the Bible repeatedly says that there is only ONE God. In particular, consider the book of Isaiah which says, “I am the Lord, and there is NO OTHER ; there is NO GOD BESIDE ME” (Isa. 45:5-6, 14, 21-22; 46:9-10). (12) This affinity regarding occult practices occurs in some programs on TV, and in the movies. This worldview was popularized in the Star Wars films. One cannot help but notice the connections between New Age thinking and the Star Wars universe of the movie director George Lucas. In the Star Wars movies, the Force is an energy FIELD that creates life, sustains it, flows through nature, and binds it all together. What is more, the Force gives wisdom and guidance and even directs our actions. This is episode 239.

References: (1) We were discussing the Church of Latter-Day Saints or Mormonism. LDS cites 2 Thess. 2:3-4 as supporting their view of the total apostasy of the church. However, the common evangelical interpretation of the entire chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians is elucidated by discussing a few terms:      a. That Day (v.2). Usually it is interpreted as the day of the Lord – the climactic time when Christ returns in glory to judge all the world and establish his kingdom (compare 1 Thess. 5:2 and Joel 2:31). The apostle Paul is reassuring believers in Christ that that day has NOT YET COME, because certain events must happen FIRST.      b. Most scholars commonly understand the phrase “falling away” (v. 3) as referring to a widespread departure from the true Christian faith before Christ’s return. Some view it as the rise of false teachers, moral compromise, and rejection of biblical truth (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1, and 2 Tim. 3:1-5).      c. The phrase “Man of sin or man of lawlessness” (v. 3) is commonly identified with the Antichrist– a future, personal, charismatic WORLD LEADER, who opposes God, exalts himself, and demands worship (cf. Dan. 7:25; Rev. 13). The Antichrist is viewed as the ultimate embodiment of human rebellion against God.      d.  The phrase “mystery of lawlessness” (v. 7) refers to the hidden, ongoing power of REBELLION against God, already at work in the world, even before the Antichrist is revealed. This mystery means that lawlessness is already operating in subtle, deceptive ways, restrained now by God‘s appointed power (often understood as the Holy Spirit or a divinely ordained authority).      e.  “Coming of the lawless one” (v.9) describes the Antichrist’s public rise to power, accompanied by satanic deception, counterfeit miracles, and persuasive lies. His arrival is contrasted with Christ’s true coming – the Antichrist’s rule will be short-lived and destroyed by the brightness of Jesus‘s return (v. 8). (2) Jesus promised His followers that He would be with them in their ministry of making disciples, baptizing, and teaching “even unto the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). He promised that He would build His church, and that the “gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). Such promises would have been BROKEN had Jesus allowed His church to go into complete apostasy. While the Bible does mention that “some [would] depart the faith” (1 Tim. 4:1), it never implies that a great apostasy would take place prior to His return. The fact that “some would depart the faith” implies that others would not. God’s word stands forever and will not fail to accomplish His purpose (Isa. 40:8; 55:11) and that is totally contrary to the Mormon doctrine of the great apostasy. (3) Salvation in Mormonism is by WORKS, including faithfulness to LDS church leaders, LDS baptism, and tithing. (4) The gospel of Mormonism is one of WORKS, which is contrary to the gospel of grace taught in Eph. 2:8-10. The Mormon gospel falls into the category of “a different gospel” (Gal. 1:8). (5) LDS believe in a different AFTER LIFE than that of Christianity. They believe that all people end up in one of 3 kingdoms of glory — the celestial, the terrestrial, or the telestial rather than what the Bible asserts that people will end up either in heaven or hell in the after life, depending on whether they have trusted in Christ.      a. The celestial kingdom is the highest degree of glory and is inhabited by faithful Mormons.      b. The terrestrial kingdom is reserved for non-Mormons who live moral lives as well as “less than valiant” Mormons      c. The telestial kingdom is populated by those who have been carnal and sinful throughout life. (6) Certainly the last 6 commandments of the Decalogue are instrumental to determine morality for Judaism and Christianity. Christianity says we are saved by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone (Eph. 2:8-10). Moreover, works are the EVIDENCE of true faith, but not the BASIS for salvation — works FOLLOW salvation. (7) There is no denying that men like Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon practiced plural marriage. Instead we find polygamy being tolerated by God rather than being commanded by Him, because it often caused conflict and sometimes led the family into idolatry. Monogamy was always the rule, and polygamy was always the exception. A man was to cleave to his wife (not wives), and as Jesus confirmed, these two shall become one flesh (Gen. 2:24; Mark 10:8). The apostle Paul wrote that every man should have his own wife and every woman her own husband (1 Cor. 7:2), assuming monogamy as the norm. This pattern is also expected for those seeking office in the church (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6). The NT never condones any marriage but a relationship of one man and one woman. Thus, there is no same sex marriages. (8) Mormon doctrine stands in STARK CONTRAST with Jewish and Christian MONOTHEISM, which teaches contrary to the POLYTHEISM of LDS that there is only one TRUE God and that every other god is a false god. (9) LDS theology denies the biblical gospel of grace (Eph. 2:8-10;  Gal.1:6). The Book of Mormon teaches, “Be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after ALL WE CAN DO” (2 Nephi 25:23). This is episode 238.

References: (1) We have addressed Christian Liberalism, Christian Science, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Now let us turn our FOCUS to Latter-day Saints or Mormonism. (2) Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844) claimed that in 1820, 10 years prior to him starting the LDS church, he received his “First Vision,” at the age of 14. Smith had been studying the passage in the Bible James 1:5 which says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given him.” On the BASIS of that verse, Smith determined to ask God which Christian church to JOIN. He claims his question was answered in a VISION where God the Father and Jesus Christ both appeared to him in a “sacred grove” of trees near his home in Palmyra, New York. Smith reported that Christ WARNED him to join NONE of the churches because they were all WRONG, their creeds were an ABOMINATION in God’s sight, and those who profess these religions were all CORRUPT. (3) Now let us compare some of LDS doctrines with those of Christianity. (4) Is the God of Mormonism the same as the God of the Bible? No. The God of Mormonism was formerly a mortal, finite human who became God and attained his current deified state by obedience to eternal laws and principles. And because he could become God, individual humans can still become divine by following the same eternal laws and principles. (4) But the God of the Bible has always been ETERNALLY God (Ps. 90:2). God is spirit (John 4:24). James 2:19  says, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe, and tremble.” The God of the Bible is all-knowing and all-loving God, yet He declares that He knows of no other gods (Isa. 44:18). God insists that before Him no god was formed, neither shall there be any god that comes after Him (Isa. 43:10; 44:6). In summary, the God described in the Bible is not the god in which Mormons believe. LDS doctrine claims that God the Father was once a man, but “progressed” to godhood. In LDS doctrine God has a physical body, thus, He is not spirit as Christianity affirms. Mormonism promotes that humans can become gods contrary to what the Bible plainly declares. (5) In Mormonism God the Father has “a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s” and can only be at one place at any time. This is totally contrary to the biblical fact that God is Spirit. (6) Christianity has no concept of humans becoming gods, but Mormons believe that humans can become gods. Consequently, there are many gods in Mormonism; in other words, LDS doctrine is manifestly POLYTHEISTIC, and that is totally contrary to the fact that the Bible says the Lord is the Only God. In the words of Mormon apostle Orson Pratt, “If we should take a million other worlds like this and number their particles, we should find that there are more gods than there are particles of matter in those worlds.” (7) Mormonism sees Jesus as the Spirit child of God the Father, a heavenly Mother and spirit brother of Lucifer contrary to what Christianity teaches concerning the Virgin Birth through Mary. (8) Fifth LDS president Lorenzo Snow stated, “As Man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.” (9) LDS teaches that TOTAL APOSTASY overcame the Christian church shortly after the death of the last apostle. They predicted that apostasy would engulf the Christian church in what they called the “GREAT APOSTASY” — a complete abandonment of true Christian principles. Thus, there had been NO TRUE CHRISTIANITY on the earth for 1700 years. Therefore, the “one true church” needed to be  RESTORED. (10) The sacred books for LDS are the King James Version of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price written by Smith. LDS claims that the Bible is “the word of God insofar as it is translated correctly.” The Doctrine and Covenants contains revelations and declarations given through various LDS leaders, but primarily by Joseph Smith. (11) Ron Rhodes author of the book “The 10 Most Important Things You Can Say to a Mormon.” (12) Rhodes adds more detail: “This passage records the apostle Paul’s warning against believing a DIFFERENT gospel. Notice that there is NO INDICATION that there would be a TOTAL apostasy of the entire church throughout the world. The LOCAL CHURCH in Galatia was the focus of these statements by the apostle Paul.” (13) “The Galatians had apparently succumbed to a gospel that added WORKS TO FAITH. . . . This effectively added “law” to the “grace” Paul had been preaching. Gal. 3:1, 3 says, ‘You foolish Galatians! . . . . After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?’” This is episode 237.

References: (1) Biblical Christianity demands an EVANGELICAL OUTREACH of the followers of Christ whereas Christian liberalism typically is NOT INTERESTED in evangelism. (2) Evangelism may be defined as proclaiming that Jesus Christ is God, Savior, and Mediator between God and man. The purpose of evangelism is persuading people to become His disciples. (3) Jesus gave His disciples a commandment: The so-called Great Commission of Matt. 28:19. (4) That commandment applies to us. We have a responsibility to obey that commandment. We know we are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8-10). The MOCKERY and tragedy of grace is that we receive grace for our own salvation but fail to extend grace to those who need it for their salvation. (5) That commandment applies to us. We have a responsibility to obey that commandment. We know we are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8-10). The MOCKERY and tragedy of grace is that we receive grace for our own salvation but fail to extend grace to those who need it for their salvation. (6) B is to believe in Jesus as Savior. When Jesus died on the Cross, He took our sin upon Himself. Once you are ready to admit that you are a sinner, and once you realize that Jesus took your sin upon Himself when He died for you; it is time for you to take action. (7) C is for you to come to Jesus (Matt. 11:28-30). (8) Allow me to turn our attention to what some aberrant religions say about Jesus and relate how they use Christian TERMS but they INVENT new meanings that are VASTLY DIFFERENT from their traditional Christian meanings. (9) Christian Science was founded by Mary Baker Eddy. (10) According to Mrs. Eddy, God is an IMPERSONAL PRINCIPLE of life, truth, love, intelligence, and spirit. Jesus was not the Christ, but a man who DISPLAYED what Christian Scientists call the “Christ,”which is available to all. This idea “Christ” is a PRINCIPLE of divine truth that is responsible for HEALING sickness and sin. (11) Who is God in JWs doctrine? He is only one divine person, and not a Trinity. (12) JWs claim to believe in salvation by WORKS. Indeed, to get one’s name written in the Book of Life will depend upon one’s works. (13) JWs claim that Christianity fell into general apostasy under Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD. To restore Christianity in the last days, JWs believe God appointed Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916) to be their leader. He established the Watchtower organization to provide spiritual truth for the true worshipers through literature such as The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. (14) JWs have predicted when the world would end. But their predicted dates have failed miserably. Russell shifted the date of the end of the world from 1874, 1914, 1918, 1925, 1975, and 1995. This is episode 236.

References: (1) Almost every religion honors Jesus to some degree. Most will agree He is a great teacher and a wonder worker. But anything short of total honor ends up treating Jesus with fake honor, deceitful loyalty, and phony respect. Jesus was very clear when He said, “He who is not WITH Me is AGAINST Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad” (Matt. 12:30). There is NO MIDDLE GROUND here. (2) Christian liberalism is a particular problem in America. It is based on a departure from the traditional tenets of biblical Christianity that FALLS SHORT of true biblical Christianity. Its vocabulary APPEARS to be like the same vocabulary of orthodox Christianity but their MEANING is FAR FROM the true biblical faith. (3) In relation to religion in America, this is not anything new. It is what Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Christian Scientists, Woke Jesus activists, and Progressive Christians do. I am not aware of any sort of emphasis in these aberrant religions on the Gospel, grace, unconditional love, forgiveness, or the saving power of Jesus Christ. They may TALK a good game but their heart is for from the truth. Liberal theology amounts to HUMANISM, pure and simple. But it is expressed in theological instead of other pejorative terms. (4) The classic 1923 book “Christianity and Liberalism” by J. Gresham Machen. (5) In his book Machen argued that the liberal understanding of Christianity was, in fact, not just a VARIANT VERSION of the Christian faith, nor did it represent simply a different denominational perspective, but was an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT religion. Put simply, Machen thought liberal Christianity was not Christianity at all. (6) It is pertinent to recall H. Richard Neihbur’s criticism of Christian Liberalism. He said, “a God w/o WRATH brought men w/o SIN into a kingdom w/o JUDGMENT through the ministrations of a Christ w/o a CROSS.” (7) An article by Steven Davidson in the book “The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics” by Ed Hindson and Ergun Caner. (8) Christian liberalism usually begins with a DENIAL of the reliability and historical accuracy of the Word of God . This denial generally starts with different ideas regarding CREATION. (9) One biblical doctrine that liberalism seems intent on denying is the VIRGIN BIRTH of Jesus Christ. Yet that doctrine is an essential core doctrine of biblical Christianity. (10) The thinking of the Christian liberal is governed by NATURALISM. Then that means Christian liberals do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus, and therefore in Jesus Christ’s DEITY. Liberalism views Jesus as simply a MODEL Christian, a supreme EXAMPLE of human ATTAINMENT of God’s IDEAL for humanity, but NOTHING MORE. If that is what you believe, why call yourselves Christian? (11) Biblical Christianity demands an EVANGELICAL OUTREACH of the followers of Christ whereas religious liberalism typically is NOT INTERESTED in evangelism. (12) Historically, religious liberalism traces its roots to higher criticism, introduced by German scholars in the mid 1800s. Higher Criticism is a method of biblical study that focuses on the literary and historical origins of biblical texts emphasizing the Bible as a historical document. Higher criticism looks at the social, political, and cultural contexts in which the texts are written. When higher criticism gained a hearing in the religious community that led to an almost immediate denial of the authority of the Pentateuch. This is episode 235.

References: (1) Liberal scholars and some conservatives view Isaiah 7:14 as having reference only to NATURAL CONCEPTION AND BIRTH. (2) “Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics” by Norman Geisler. (3) Geisler says, “There is a difficulty with the claim that ‘alma refers to someone who is married.  Not once does the OT use ‘alma to refer to a married person. Bethulah, on the other hand, is used for married women (see Joel 1:8). Geisler says there are several verses in the OT that use ‘alma to refer to a virgin. (4) That controversy and its refutation has been around for a while and that should have laid the controversy to rest. Nevertheless, skeptics to Christianity and the Bible are not deterred. The virgin birth of Christ is the perennial TARGET of naturalistic criticisms. (5) At the root of the rejection of the virgin birth of Christ is the rejection of miracles. The people that reject miracles, David Hume, Immanuel Kant, Christian Liberals, atheists, agnostics, and skeptics, for example, elevate naturalism and materialism over the authority of the Bible. (6) The miracles of the Bible continue to embarrass some people today, but that need not be the case. The Bible is full of miracles from the parting of the Red Sea in the OT where the Israelites went across on dry land, to the virgin birth of Jesus, to His calming the storm with a word, and scores of other miraculous deeds including Jesus’ resurrection. (7) Certainly a virgin birth is a miracle. If a theistic God exists, (and I have a proof given in this program, that He does), then miracles are a foregone conclusion. Since the theistic God exists, then He can ACT and He can CREATE. The Bible declares He is the creator and sustainer of the universe, and can accomplish all that He purposes. (8) The virgin birth is fundamental to the Christian faith. To fulfill His role as savior, Jesus had to be both God and human. As God, He could offer a sacrifice of INFINITE VALUE to atone for humanity’s sins, and as a human, He could IDENTIFY with our trials, temptations, and sufferings. He could REPRESENT us to God as our merciful and faithful High Priest who could SYMPATHIZE  with our weaknesses (Heb. 2:17) and ACT as a MEDIATOR between us and God (1 Tim. 2:5-6). (9)  The virgin birth can be intimated from the Lord’s curse on Jeconiah, the king of Judah who reigned from 598-597 BC. Jeconiah, also known as Coniah and Jehoiachin, was dethroned by Nebuchadnezzar and taken into captivity. The curse declared, “None of his descendants shall prosper, sitting on the throne of David and ruling anymore in Judah” (Jer. 22:24-30). (10) The problem with this curse is that some rabbinic Judaists say that this curse prevents Jesus from being the Messiah because Jeconiah is listed in the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph, the husband of Mary, in Matt. 1:1-17. However, this curse does not apply to Jesus since Joseph was only Jesus’ LEGAL FATHER, and not His BIOLOGICAL FATHER. (11) Jesus is unique because of His ascension from the earth. Just like Jesus’ conception and virgin birth, Jesus’ departure was also a miracle. (12) Quotation from John Lennox, a world class Oxford mathematician and author: “Genesis and science say that the universe is GEARED to supporting human life.  But Genesis says more. It says that you, as a human being, bear the IMAGE of God. The starry heavens show the GLORY of God, yes; but they are NOT MADE in God’s image. You are. That makes you UNIQUE. The galaxies are UNIMAGINABLY LARGE compared with you. However, you know THEY exist, but they don’t know that you EXIST. You are more SIGNIFICANT, therefore, than a GALAXY.” This is episode 234.

References: (1) Jesus is unique because of His resurrection. Jesus did not decay in some grave in Jerusalem. He rose from the dead and is alive today and we can know Him in an experiential way. He can give us peace, joy, hope, and comfort. (2) Only Jesus, the founder of Christianity, is alive now because of His resurrection. All Christians are able to say with the apostle Paul, “I know whom I have believed” (2 Tim. 1:12). (3) Early Christian sermons focused on the resurrection of Jesus. (4) When presenting the claims of Christ the apostles continually used the fact of Christ’s bodily resurrection as the basis for their arguments [Acts 13:32-41; 17:1-4, 22-31]. No one can deny that the truth of Christianity is based squarely on the bodily resurrection of Christ. (5) Benefits that accrue to believers because of the resurrection:      a. Jesus’ resurrection vindicates His claim to be the Son of God and the Christ.      b. Jesus’ resurrection in the past guarantees the believer’s own resurrection in the future.      c. Jesus’ resurrection is the ground of justification.        d. Jesus’ resurrection grants new life for believers.        e. Jesus’ resurrection defeats death. (6) Not only is Jesus unique because of His death and His resurrection, but He is unique because many events about His life is foretold by prophesy. Centuries before Christ entered the world as the incarnation of God, the OT listed over 300 prophesies regarding the Messiah including:      a. the location of His birthplace in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).      b. He would be born of  a virgin (Isa. 7:14).      c. He would be betrayed by a close friend (Ps. 41:9).      d. He would be rejected by His own people (Isa. 53:3).      e. His death would pay the penalty for sins (Isa. 53:4-9).      f. His resurrection from the dead (Ps. 16:10; 49:15).      g. the  events as He died (Ps. 22:14-18).      h. the precise time  when He would be cut off (Dan. 9:26). (7) Christ’s entry into the world is promised by prophesy. (8) Not only was Christ was prophetically anticipated, He was also miraculously conceived. This is episode 233.

References: (1) Christianity teaches He is unique in every way. From His complete deity to His perfect humanity; from His miraculous conception to His ascension; from His sinless character to His incomparable teaching; from His death to His resurrection — Jesus stands above all other religious or moral teachers. (2) Mormons (or Latter-day Saints) profess that Jesus progressed by obedience and devotion to the truth in the spirit world until He BECAME God rather than Him LAYING ASIDE some of His divine privileges to become a human being according to Phil. 2:5-11. That probably is why Mormons believe that humans can become God by their own effort. (3) The ultimate goal of Mormonism is godhood. Brigham Young said that “the Lord created you and me for the purpose of becoming gods like Himself.” Human exaltation to godhood is what Mormons mean as attaining “eternal life.” (4) The sacred books of Mormonism, include the Bible, the book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. These are considered to be scriptures with all having EQUAL WEIGHT and the AUTHORITY  as historical witness to God’s promise of salvation fulfilled in the atonement of Jesus Christ as the only begotten of the Father.   (5) Moreover, they view the Bible as “the word of God INSOFAR as it is TRANSLATED CORRECTLY.” Mormons misinterpret certain Bible verses as teaching the plurality of gods and that humans can become gods. Allow me to consider just one example, John 10:34 where Jesus said, “Has it not been written in your law, “You are gods”? Jesus is quoting Ps. 82:6 which is a Psalm about human judges that judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked. (v. 2). Mormons believe this verse proves their belief that humans can become gods. (6) Second, Jesus’ statement must be interpreted in terms of a condemnation of human judges. If God called human judges ‘gods’ (with a small ‘g’) not because they were an actual deity but because they pronounced life and death judgments over people, then how much more appropriate that we call Jesus the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Son of David, the Savior of the world, the Mediator between God and man, or ythe heavenly High Priest? (7) Hindus think of Jesus as one of many great gurus. (8) Buddhists often acknowledge Jesus as a significant figure, sometimes even viewing Him as an enlightened being. However core Christian doctrines view Jesus as God and the only way to salvation are not compatible with Buddhist beliefs. (9) Christian Liberalism REINTERPRETS traditional Christian doctrines, viewing Jesus as only a human figure who exemplifies moral and ethical principles, rather than a divine being who performed miraculous acts. Miracles are often seen in Christian Liberalism as symbolic narratives rather than literal, supernatural occurrences. For example, the resurrection is seen in Christian Liberalism as a METAPHOR for the triumph of good over evil. (10) Christian Science, founded by Mary Baker Eddy, distinguishes between Jesus, the man, and Christ, the divine IDEA or PRINCIPLE. While Christian Scientists believe in the divinity of Christ, but Christian Science rejects the concept of Jesus being God Himself, but rather sees him as the Son of God, demonstrating the divine principle POTENTIAL within all humanity. In that sense this sounds like pantheism or New Age. Christian Scientists believe that the healings and spiritual works performed by Jesus demonstrates the divinity of Christ. (11) Christianity is unique among world religions, and Jesus Christ’s uniqueness is the CENTERPIECE of Christianity. Jesus is unique because of His resurrection. His RESURRECTION from the grave was the crowning event  of Jesus’ earthly mission. It was not only predicted in Psalms 2 and 26, but also Jesus affirmed it from the very beginning of His ministry. Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days”  (John 2:19). The temple Jesus was speaking about  was His own body,(John 2:21; Matt. 12:40-42; 17:9). Jesus offered the resurrection as a proof of His deity. Jesus said to those seeking a ‘sign,’ “Yet NO SIGN will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man will be 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth” (Matt. 12:38-40). This is episode 232.