Historical Evidence of the Resurrection

By Josh McDowell

For centuries many of the world's distinguished philosophers have assaulted Christianity as being irrational, superstitious and absurd. Many have chosen simply to ignore the central issue of the resurrection. Others have tried to explain it away through various theories. But the historical evidence just can't be discounted.

A student at the University of Uruguay said to me. "Professor McDowell, why can't you refute Christianity?"

"For a very simple reason," I answered. "I am not able to explain away an event in history--the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

How can we explain the empty tomb? Can it possibly be accounted for by any natural cause?

A Question of History

After more than 700 hours of studying this subject, I have come to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is either one of the most wicked, vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted on the minds of human beings--or it is the most remarkable fact of history.

Here are some of the facts relevant to the resurrection: Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish prophet who claimed to be the Christ prophesied in the Jewish Scriptures, was arrested, was judged a political criminal, and was crucified. Three days after His death and burial, some women who went to His tomb found the body gone. In subsequent weeks, His disciples claimed that God had raised Him from the dead and that He appeared to them various times before ascending into heaven.

From that foundation, Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire and has continued to exert great influence down through the centuries.

Living Witnesses

The New Testament accounts of the resurrection were being circulated within the lifetimes of men and women alive at the time of the resurrection. Those people could certainly have confirmed or denied the accuracy of such accounts.

The writers of the four Gospels either had themselves been witnesses or else were relating the accounts of eyewitnesses of the actual events. In advocating their case for the gospel, a word that means "good news," the apostles appealed (even when confronting their most severe opponents) to common knowledge concerning the facts of the resurrection.

F. F. Bruce, Rylands professor of biblical criticism and exegesis at the University of Manchester, says concerning the value of the New Testament records as primary sources: "Had there been any tendency to depart from the facts in any material respect, the possible presence of hostile witnesses in the audience would have served as a further corrective."

Is The New Testament Reliable?

Because the New Testament provides the primary historical source for information on the resurrection, many critics during the 19th century attacked the reliability of these biblical documents.

By the end of the 1 9th century, however, archaeological discoveries had confirmed the accuracy of the New Testament manuscripts. Discoveries of early papyri bridged the gap between the time of Christ and existing manuscripts from a later date.

Those findings increased scholarly confidence in the reliability of the Bible. William F. Albright, who in his day was the world's foremost biblical archaeologist, said: "We can already say emphatically that there is no longer any solid basis for dating any book of the New Testament after about A.D. 80, two full generations before the date between 130 and 150 given by the more radical New Testament critics of today."

Coinciding with the papyri discoveries, an abundance of other manuscripts came to light (over 24,000 copies of early New Testament manuscripts are known to be in existence today). The historian Luke wrote of "authentic evidence" concerning the resurrection. Sir William Ramsay, who spent 15 years attempting to undermine Luke credentials as a historian, and to refute the reliability of the New Testament, finally concluded: "Luke is a historian of the first rank... This author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians. "

--------------
I claim to be an historian. My approach to Classics is historical. And I tell you that the evidence for the life, the death, and the resurrection of Christ is better authenticated than most of the facts of ancient history...

E. M. Blaiklock
Professor of Classics Auckland University
--------------

Background

The New Testament witnesses were fully aware of the background against which the resurrection took place. The body of Jesus, in accordance with Jewish burial custom, was wrapped in a linen cloth. About 100 pounds of aromatic spices, mixed together to form a gummy substance, were applied to the wrappings of cloth about the body. After the body was placed in a solid rock tomb, an extremely large stone was rolled against the entrance of the tomb. Large stones weighing approximately two tons were normally rolled (by means of levers) against a tomb entrance.

A Roman guard of strictly disciplined fighting men was stationed to guard the tomb. This guard affixed on the tomb the Roman seal, which was meant to "prevent any attempt at vandalizing the sepulcher. Anyone trying to move the stone from the tomb's entrance would have broken the seal and thus incurred the wrath of Roman law.

But three days later the tomb was empty. The followers of Jesus said He had risen from the dead. They reported that He appeared to them during a period of 40 days, showing Himself to them by many "infallible proofs." Paul the apostle recounted that Jesus appeared to more than 500 of His followers at one time, the majority of whom were still alive and who could confirm what Paul wrote. So many security precautions were taken with the trial, crucifixion, burial, entombment, sealing, and guarding of Christ's tomb that it becomes very difficult for critics to defend their position that Christ did not rise from the dead. Consider these facts:

Fact #1: Broken Roman Seal

As we have said, the first obvious fact was the breaking of the seal that stood for the power and authority of the Roman Empire. The consequences of breaking the seal were extremely severe. The FBI and CIA of the Roman Empire were called into action to find the man or men who were responsible. If they were apprehended, it meant automatic execution by crucifixion upside down. People feared the breaking of the seal. Jesus' disciples displayed signs of cowardice when they hid themselves. Peter, one of these disciples, went out and denied Christ three times.

Fact #2: Empty Tomb

As we have already discussed, another obvious fact after the resurrection was the empty tomb. The disciples of Christ did not go off to Athens or Rome to preach that Christ was raised from the dead. Rather, they went right back to the city of Jerusalem, where, if what they were teaching was false, the falsity would be evident. The empty tomb was "too notorious to be denied." Paul Althaus states that the resurrection "could have not been maintained in Jerusalem for a single day, for a single hour, if the emptiness of the tomb had not been established as a fact for all concerned."

Both Jewish and Roman sources and traditions admit an empty tomb. Those resources range from Josephus to a compilation of fifth-century Jewish writings called the "Toledoth Jeshu." Dr. Paul Maier calls this "positive evidence from a hostile source, which is the strongest kind of historical evidence. In essence, this means that if a source admits a fact decidedly not in its favor, then that fact is genuine."

Gamaliel, who was a member of the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin, put forth the suggestion that the rise of the Christian movement was God's doing; he could not have done that if the tomb were still occupied, or if the Sanhedrin knew the whereabouts of Christ's body.

Paul Maier observes that "... if all the evidence is weighed carefully and fairly, it is indeed justifiable, according to the canons of historical research, to conclude that the sepulcher of Joseph of Arimathea, in which Jesus was buried, was actually empty on the morning of the first Easter. And no shred of evidence has yet been discovered in literary sources, epigraphy, or archaeology that would disprove this statement."

Fact #3: Large Stone Moved

On that Sunday morning the first thing that impressed the people who approached the tomb was the unusual position of the one and a half to two ton stone that had been lodged in front of the doorway. All the Gospel writers mention it.

--------------
There exists no document from the ancient world, witnessed by so excellent a set of textual and historical testimonies . . . Skepticism regarding the historical credentials of Christianity is based upon an irrational bias.

Clark Pinnock
Mcmaster University
--------------

Those who observed the stone after the resurrection describe its position as having been rolled up a slope away not just from the entrance of the tomb, but from the entire massive sepulcher. It was in such a position that it looked as if it had been picked up and carried away. Now, I ask you, if the disciples had wanted to come in, tiptoe around the sleeping guards, and then roll the stone over and steal Jesus' body, how could they have done that without the guards' awareness?

Fact #4: Roman Guard Goes AWOL

The Roman guards fled. They left their place of responsibility. How can their attrition he explained, when Roman military discipline was so exceptional? Justin, in Digest #49, mentions all the offenses that required the death penalty. The fear of their superiors' wrath and the possibility of death meant that they paid close attention to the minutest details of their jobs. One way a guard was put to death was by being stripped of his clothes and then burned alive in a fire started with his garments. If it was not apparent which soldier had failed in his duty, then lots were drawn to see which one wand be punished with death for the guard unit's failure. Certainly the entire unit would not have fallen asleep with that kind of threat over their heads. Dr. George Currie, a student of Roman military discipline, wrote that fear of punishment "produced flawless attention to duty, especially in the night watches."

Fact #5: Graveclothes Tell a Tale

In a literal sense, against all statements to the contrary, the tomb was not totally empty--because of an amazing phenomenon. John, a disciple of Jesus, looked over to the place where the body of Jesus had lain, and there were the grave clothes, in the form of the body, slightly caved in and empty--like the empty chrysalis of a caterpillar's cocoon. That's enough to make a believer out of anybody. John never did get over it. The first thing that stuck in the minds of the disciples was not the empty tomb, but rather the empty grave clothes--undisturbed in form and position.

Fact #6: Jesus' Appearances Confirmed

Christ appeared alive on several occasions after the cataclysmic events of that first Easter . When studying an event in history, it is important to know whether enough people who were participants or eyewitnesses to the event were alive when the facts about the event were published. To know this is obviously helpful in ascertaining the accuracy of the published report. If the number of eyewitnesses is substantial, the event can he regarded as fairly well established. For instance, if we all witness a murder, and a later police report turns out to he a fabrication of lies, we as eyewitnesses can refute it.

Over 500 Witnesses

Several very important factors arc often overlooked when considering Christ's post-resurrection appearances to individuals. The first is the large number of witnesses of Christ after that resurrection morning. One of the earliest records of Christ's appearing after the resurrection is by Paul. The apostle appealed to his audience's knowledge of the fact that Christ had been seen by more than 500 people at one time. Paul reminded them that the majority of those people were still alive and could be questioned. Dr. Edwin M. Yamauchi, associate professor of history at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, emphasizes: "What gives a special authority to the list (of witnesses) as historical evidence is the reference to most of the five hundred brethren being still alive. St. Paul says in effect, 'If you do not believe me, you can ask them.' Such a statement in an admittedly genuine letter written within thirty years of the event is almost as strong evidence as one could hope to get for something that happened nearly two thousand years ago." Let's take the more than 500 witnesses who saw Jesus alive after His death and burial, and place them in a courtroom. Do you realize that if each of those 500 people were to testify for only six minutes, including cross-examination, you would have an amazing 50 hours of firsthand testimony? Add to this the testimony of many other eyewitnesses and you would well have the largest and most lopsided trial in history.

Hostile Witnesses

Another factor crucial to interpreting Christ's appearances is that He also appeared to those who were hostile or unconvinced.

Over and over again, I have read or heard people comment that Jesus was seen alive after His death and burial only by His friends and followers. Using that argument, they attempt to water down the overwhelming impact of the multiple eyewitness accounts. But that line of reasoning is so pathetic it hardly deserves comment. No author or informed individual would regard Saul of Tarsus as being a follower of Christ. The facts show the exact opposite. Saul despised Christ and persecuted Christ's followers. It was a life-shattering experience when Christ appeared to him. Although he was at the time not a disciple, he later became the apostle Paul, one of the greatest witnesses for the truth of the resurrection.

--------------
If the New Testament were a collection of secular writings, their authenticity would generally be regarded as beyond all doubt.

F. F. Bruce
Manchester University
--------------

The argument that Christ's appearances were only to followers is an argument for the most part from silence, and arguments from silence can be dangerous. It is equally possible that all to whom Jesus appeared became followers. No one acquainted with the facts can accurately say that Jesus appeared to just "an insignificant few."

Christians believe that Jesus was bodily resurrected in time and space by the supernatural power of God. The difficulties of belief may be great, but the problems inherent in unbelief present even greater difficulties.

The theories advanced to explain the resurrection by "natural causes" are weak; they actually help to build confidence in the truth of the resurrection.

The Wrong Tomb?

A theory propounded by Kirsopp Lake assumes that the women who reported that the body was missing had mistakenly gone to the wrong tomb. If so, then the disciples who went to check up on the women's statement must have also gone to the wrong tomb. We may be certain, however, that Jewish authorities, who asked for a Roman guard to be stationed at the tomb to prevent Jesus' body from being stolen, would not have been mistaken about the location. Nor would the Roman guards, for they were there!

If the resurrection-claim was merely because of a geographical mistake, the Jewish authorities would have lost no time in producing the body from the proper tomb, thus effectively quenching for all time any rumor resurrection.

Hallucinations?

Another attempted explanation claims that the appearances of Jesus after the resurrection were either illusions or hallucinations. Unsupported by the psychological principles governing the appearances of hallucinations, this theory also does not coincide with the historical situation. Again, where was the actual body, and why wasn't it produced?

Did Jesus Swoon?

Another theory, popularized by Venturini several centuries ago, is often quoted today. This is the swoon theory, which says that Jesus didn't die; he merely fainted from exhaustion and loss of blood. Everyone thought Him dead, but later He resuscitated and the disciples thought it to be a resurrection. Skeptic David Friedrich Strauss--certainly no believer in the resurrection--gave the deathblow to any thought that Jesus revived from a swoon: "It is impossible that a being who had stolen half-dead out of the sepulchre, who crept about weak and ill, wanting medical treatment, who required bandaging, strengthening and indulgence, and who still at last yielded to His sufferings, could have given to the disciples the impression that He was a Conqueror over death and the grave, the Prince of Life,

--------------
For the New Testament of Acts, the confirmation of historicity is overwhelming. Any attempt to reject its basic historicity, even in matters of detail, must now appear absurd. Roman historians have long taken it for granted.

A. N. Sherwin-White
Classical Roman Historian
--------------

an impression which lay at the bottom of their future ministry. Such a resuscitation could only have weakened the impression which He had made upon them in life and in death, at the most could only have given it an elegiac voice, but could by no possibility have changed their sorrow into enthusiasm, have elevated their reverence into worship."

The Body Stolen?

Then consider the theory that the body was stolen by the disciples while the guards slept. The depression and cowardice of the disciples provide a hard-hitting argument against their suddenly becoming so brave and daring as to face a detachment of soldiers at the tomb and steal the body. They were in no mood to attempt anything like that.

The theory that the Jewish or Roman authorities moved Christ's body is no more reasonable an explanation for the empty tomb than theft by the disciples. If the authorities had the body in their possession or knew where it was, why, when the disciples were preaching the resurrection in Jerusalem, didn't they explain: "Wait! We moved the body, see, He didn't rise from the grave"?

And if such a rebuttal failed, why didn't they explain exactly where Jesus' body lay? If this failed, why didn't they recover the corpse, put it on a cart, and wheel it through the center of Jerusalem? Such an action would have destroyed Christianity--not in the cradle, but in the womb!

The Resurrection Is a Fact

Professor Thomas Arnold, for 14 years a headmaster of Rugby, author of the famous, History of Rome, and appointed to the chair of modern history at Oxford, was well acquainted with the value of evidence in determining historical facts. This great scholar said: "I have been used for many years to study the histories of other times, and to examine and weigh the evidence of those who have written about them, and I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort, to the understanding of a fair inquirer, than the great sign which God bath given us that Christ died and rose again from the dead." Brooke Foss Westcott, an English scholar, said: "raking all the evidence together, it is not too much to say that there is no historic incident better or more variously supported than the resurrection of Christ. Nothing but the antecedent assumption that it must be false could have suggested the idea of deficiency in the proof of it."

Real Proof: The Disciples' Lives

But the most telling testimony of all must be the lives of those early Christians. We must ask ourselves: What caused them to go everywhere telling the message of the risen Christ?

Had there been any visible benefits accrued to them from their efforts--prestige, wealth, increased social status or material benefits--we might logically attempt to account for their actions, for their whole-hearted and total allegiance to this "risen Christ ."

As a reward for their efforts, however, those early Christians were beaten, stoned to death, thrown to the lions, tortured and crucified. Every conceivable method was used to stop them from talking.

Yet, they laid down their lives as the ultimate proof of their complete confidence in the truth of their message.

Where Do You Stand?

How do you evaluate this overwhelming historical evidence? What is your decision about the fact of Christ's empty tomb? What do you think of Christ?

When I was confronted with the overwhelming evidence for Christ's resurrection, I had to ask the logical question: "What difference does all this evidence make to me? What difference does it make whether or not I believe Christ rose again and died on the cross for my sins!' The answer is put best by something Jesus said to a man who doubted--Thomas. Jesus told him: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6).

On the basis of all the evidence for Christ's resurrection, and considering the fact that Jesus offers forgiveness of sin and an eternal relationship with God, who would be so foolhardy as to reject Him? Christ is alive! He is living today.

You can trust God right now by faith through prayer. Prayer is talking with God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. If you have never trusted Christ, you can do so right now.

The prayer I prayed is: "Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and trust You as my Savior. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Thank You that I can trust You."

-------
Josh McDowell, according to a recent survey, is one of the most popular speakers among university students today. He has spoken on more than 650 university and college campuses to more than seven million people in 74 countries during the last 21 years.

©1992 Josh McDowell Ministry

Steps to Peace in a World Out of Control

By Tony Beam

The fighting rages on in the Middle East. Violence is escalating in Iraq and Afghanistan. It sometimes seems as if every demon of hell has suddenly and furiously been released from the abyss to wreak havoc on an unprepared and unsuspecting world.

In addition to the hostilities brewing in the traditional world hot spots, our personal lives seem to lack true peace. We get up every morning and we face whatever the day throws at us with as much courage as we can muster, but at the end of the day it always seems like we have more day than courage. Peace is longed for, sought after, and clamored for, but rarely is it ever achieved.

Why? I mean, after all, didn't the Prince of Peace promise He would leave His peace behind? The problem with the modern-day peace seeker is he misses the message of the ancient peace speaker. Peace is not the lack of conflict in the physical world. It is the presence of God dwelling in the heart of His people.

In his letter to the church at Philippi, the Apostle Paul captured the true meaning of the peace Jesus promised we would experience. "Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7).

Cognitive theory speaks of the relationship between activating events (things which occur that have an impact on our emotional health), beliefs (the values we hold which allow us to deal with the activating events), and consequences (the result of activating events).

Where most of us lose our peace is between the activating event and the consequences. If we want to head down the path of peace, we have to change the way we think about the circumstances that arise from activating events. That is where our beliefs come into the picture. Activating events are not the cause of our emotional pain. Our pain comes from what we tell ourselves about the event.

God's word teaches that you win victories in your brain, cutting off the lies the enemy tries to tell you about your circumstances and replacing those lies with the truth. I believe Paul gives us four steps to peace in Philippians 4:6-9.

The first step is to pray. Thankful prayer brings release from fear and worry because it affirms God's sovereign control over every circumstance that is generated by an activating event. Paul says we should be "anxious for nothing," but rather we should "pray about everything." Unfortunately, too many believers reverse this process being anxious for everything and praying for nothing.

The second step is found in verses 6 and 7. Paul says "the peace of God... will guard our hearts and minds" when we pray "with thanksgiving." Satan cannot win a victory over our minds if our minds are fixed with thanksgiving on the blessings and the promises of God. For example, think about the last time you entered a worship service weighed down by circumstances that flow out of an activating event. If you entered into a genuine state of worship with your focus on God, your thinking about your circumstances was transformed.

Step three is the command to "think on these things," which means we need to strive for pure thinking. The things we are to think on are those things which are true, honorable, just, pure, commendable, and moral. The key word is the word 'dwell,' which is the English form of the Greek word logizomai. It means to habitually and consistently practice the art of pure thinking. There are literally millions of thoughts which vie for domination of the mind. We must become gatekeepers, choosing which thoughts we will dwell on and which ones we will reject.

Finally, verse 9 tells us we have to put into practice what we know to be true. Think of it this way... if I couldn't swim but I watched a video about swimming, and then, without actually practicing any of the techniques I saw on the tape, I jumped into the deep end of the pool, I shouldn't be surprised if someone has to throw me a lifeline to keep me from drowning. Most believers have heard hundreds - perhaps thousands - of sermons, but for any truth to take hold we must put that truth into practice. There are many things we have heard, seen modeled, and received from the lives of others, but these things will not bring the peace that passes understanding for us until they become our habit.

Let me encourage you today to pray, praise, focus on pure thinking, and discipline yourself to practice what you know to be true. The world will still rage with conflict but you will find the peace of God will guard your heart, guide your thinking, and bring comfort to your soul.

Demonizing the Lost

By Michael Craven

There is a disturbing trend among a segment of evangelical Christians - a tendency to publicly (or privately) demonize people with whom we disagree theologically, politically and in various other ways.

A recent case in point would be the Rev. Jerry Falwell's statement about Hillary Clinton in which Rev. Falwell made an indirect comparison between Sen. Clinton and Satan. To be fair, I think the context in which these comments were made was purely tongue-in-cheek and therefore not intended to be taken literally. Specifically, Rev. Falwell, while addressing the Values Voter Summit in Washington D.C. said, "I certainly hope that Hillary is the candidate, I hope she's the candidate, because nothing will energize my (constituency) like Hillary Clinton," he then followed with, "If Lucifer ran, he wouldn't." Despite the fact that his statements were ultimately misrepresented, they still harm the cause of Christ.

Or recall Pat Robertson's public call for the assassination of Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez. These are but two of the comments made by prominent Christians that most would agree really don't present the best possible (or true) representation of Christ.

However, my present concern is not so much these occasional careless statements made by prominent Christians. I am sure that if each of us were given such a public platform where our words were subject to constant scrutiny we too would utter an occasional statement we wish we could take back. We all fail at times to bear true and loving witness to Christ. I know that I regrettably fail often on this point. My concern stems from what I encounter almost daily through this ministry.

I regularly encounter Christians who speak with such hostility and venom about those with whom they disagree, who are primarily non-Christians (though occasionally - and it seems more and more - they're other Christians).

For example, I recently wrote an article in which I praised Katie Couric, who, when asked by reporters if she would travel to Iraq, said she would not, "because a single mother of two had no business taking such risks in a chaotic war zone." I simply pointed out that I shared the reporter's praise of Ms. Couric who "put the well-being of her two daughters above her career."

I was surprised by some of the reactions to this article which seemed to run right past the point I was making and instead expressed anger at me that I would dare acknowledge any good done by a "left-wing liberal feminist" like Katie Couric. This attitude conveys the idea that unbelievers are somehow incapable of doing any good, or if they do, they should not receive any praise. This is nonsense, lacking in grace, and for Christians not to acknowledge these goods makes us look petty and hateful.

All people still reflect the image of God and thus even the lost are capable of doing some moral good. Granted, these acts are not free from sinful motives or prideful self-gratification, but such good should be acknowledged because to do so acknowledges the Creator in whose image we are made. Francis Schaeffer described this well when he said that mankind is a "glorious ruin."

Similarly, I have been confronted by numerous Christians who, upset by Rosie O'Donnell's anti-Christian rant, wanted to rake her over the coals, or fire off a nasty letter letting her know that "we were tired of her lunatic liberalism." I can't count how many times I have heard derogatory characterizations by Christians of Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy or countless other liberal politicians and public figures. I confess that, on occasion, I too have been guilty of similarly thoughtless statements.

However, as a follower of Christ I am to put aside the sinful inclinations of my flesh and imitate the person and character of Christ. We are to "Be imitators of God... and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Don't you think that we, too, are offensive to a Holy God? And yet despite our offense, God gave Himself up for us so that we could be reconciled to Him. This passage in Ephesians chapter 5 continues by saying, "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking , which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."

All of these people are made by God in His image; He loves them and therefore we are to love them. Is this sometimes difficult, especially when they ridicule and attack all that we hold dear? Yes! In fact, it would be impossible were it not for the Holy Spirit who is able to transform sinful flesh.

I think a contributing factor to our unchristian attitudes towards those with whom we disagree is the politicization of the Church coupled with a simplistic theology of salvation. In other words, "I had the good sense to choose Jesus." As a result, many Christians think only in terms of Conservative vs. Liberal, Right vs. Left, and ultimately "us" (believers) vs. "them" (unbelievers). We may not see ourselves "on mission" in the world to reach the lost, but rather only on opposite sides politically and ideologically. Where is the motivation to reach across ideological lines in that scenario?

That is not to say that we should avoid confronting false and hostile ideas; certainly not, and 2 Corinthians 10:5 confirms it. After all, doing so is the essence of my own work and ministry. Rather, it is to say that we must direct our arguments to the ideologies in question and not the person who is held captive by them. Our motivation is love! We love because Christ first loved us, and Christ-like love is:

"...patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres!" (1 Cor 13:4-7)

As followers of Christ we should welcome, and eagerly seek, any and every opportunity for relationships with those who hold opposing world views. I would love to have dinner with Katie Couric or Rosie O'Donnell, or have them as my neighbors. If we are constantly retreating to opposite poles to "be with our own kind," we may console ourselves by thinking "we are not of the world," but I would add, we are no longer even "in the world" where we can bear witness to the life changing power of Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, if all the unbelieving world sees or hears from Christians are verbal assaults and self-righteous condemnation; why on earth would they listen to anything we have to say much less take Christianity seriously?!

-------
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 14:34-35)

You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. (Matthew 5:13)

The Lord's Mercy for the Lost
Matthew 15:22-28

Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely demonized!" But he answered her not a word.

His disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away; for she cries after us." But he answered, "I wasn't sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, help me."

But he answered, "It is not appropriate to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." But she said, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."
Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Heaven Rejoice Over One Sinner Repenting
Luke 15:2-10

Because the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them", So he told them this parable:

"Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance."

"Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn't light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost.’ Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting."

Does Your Work Really Matter?

By Paul J. Dean
Pastor, Counselor & Professor

Does your work really matter? Alissa Clark of Relevant Magazine.com poses this question in essence with her provocative article titled "Seeing God's Hand." In wrestling with writer's block, Clark begins to share her heart a bit when it comes to the issue of, dare I say, relevance. No doubt she expresses what many of us often feel. She says her problem is not simply writer's block. She becomes transparent and reveals, "I am scared to fail. I am afraid that I will pour out my heart and thoughts to you, but it won't make an iota of difference to you. There's a blinding fear that what I write will not matter. And even worse, there's that nagging feeling that what I do in my life, ultimately, will not matter."

Now that's transparency and honesty. But, she gets even more honest. In her words, "To be honest, this goes far beyond my writing. My 'day job' is mundane -- technology in the world of investment banking. I'm not likely to change anyone's life or make a real difference in the world by sitting behind a desk and answering e-mails all day. I struggle with knowing why I've been placed here, when there seem to be so many people out there doing interesting things that make a difference."

She notes that she cannot be the only one who harbors such feelings. And she is right. The question of whether or not we are or even can make a difference in this world plagues most of us. No doubt thoughtful Christians wonder just how they can make such a difference in the work-a-day world of their 9 to 5 lives (8 to 6, etc.). Of course, God does have something to say to us that ought to encourage our hearts.

Work is Worship

First, your work matters because its part of your relationship with God. Work is part of your relationship to God because it is an act of worship. We are given this counsel: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31)." That command puts all of life in the context of worship. We glorify God, that is, we put His character on display when we work. He worked. He worked in creation and redemption to name the big two.

When we work, we reflect His glory and we further derive joy in doing what He's called us to do. To the extent that we enjoy being where God wants us to be, and sometimes that's in the mundane or difficult circumstances of work related drudgery as a result of the curse, we enjoy God by virtue of our redemption in Christ. We find satisfaction in work as we find satisfaction in God. As we find satisfaction in God, we glorify Him. "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him (John Piper)."

Work is part of your relationship to God because God has given you the ability to work. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave where you are going (Ecc. 9:10)." Among other things, this verse speaks to the fact that we have a limited time on this earth. God has given us certain things to do while we are here. Because they have been given to us by God, we need to pursue them with all of our might in the time allotted. In addition to giving us a sense of purpose and urgency, this commitment to diligence and excellence also glorifies God.

Work is part of your relationship to God because it reveals your character. "He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster (Prov. 18:9)." Part of who we are before God and man is revealed in the attitude we have toward work and the getting of that work done.

At the same time, work is part of your relationship to God because it is part of God's provision for you. "Prepare your work without, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house (Prov. 24:27)." Diligent work pays off.

Work is Witness

Further, diligent work pays off as a means of witness when God provides. Our Christian ethic is on display as it were. Paul admonished, "Study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that you may have lack of nothing (1 Thes. 4:11-12)." Negatively, Paul reminded: "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread (2 Thes. 3:10)."

If there were no other purpose for our work than for it to be a proving ground or a development ground or a place of obedience to God, it would still matter in an eternally significant way. And yet, there are other reasons your work matters.

Second, your work matters because it's a place of witness for Christ. We're all familiar with the Great Commission. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matt. 28:19-20)." Yet, there is some popular confusion regarding Christ's imperative command here.

It is a well known fact that while God calls missionaries to go to foreign fields, the imperative command here is "make disciples." The word translated "go" is a participle in the original language and would be better translated "as you go" or "as you are going." By inference, we could translate it thusly: "as you are going about the everyday business of your lives, make disciples." What this text means is that we are to make disciples wherever God has placed us, including our places of work. You are on mission with God at work. What an encouragement. Of course your work matters!

At the same time, let us not think that we must confront every one of our co-workers with the four spiritual laws. How about the issue of biblical counsel? Has anyone ever come to you with a problem? Can you give a biblical word that might lead into a discussion of the all-sufficiency of Christ in every area of life? Paul said, "Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another (Rom. 15:14)." Loving, gentle, biblical counsel leads us to speak of Christ to others.

Salt & Light

Third, by way of extension, your work matters because there you can be salt and light. The Lord Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matt. 5:13-16)." As your co-workers see your good work and know why you do good work, they will glorify your Father in heaven. That's purpose. That's meaning. And again, that's worship.

Fourth, let's put it another way. Your work matters because it puts our Lord Jesus on display. "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time (Col. 4:5)." In other words, at work, be wise in front of your lost co-workers and make the most of every opportunity God gives you there for the sake of the gospel. How can you do that?

Do your work with excellence, for it shows the excellence of our God. "O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth (Ps. 8:9)!" Put God on display through your work ethic.

Put God on display in the product you produce whether it be a car, a magazine, or good investment advice. This dynamic will demonstrate the order and beauty of our God: not to mention the manifold benefits He bestows upon us. "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork." You reflect that revelatory aspect of God in your handiwork, for you are an ambassador of Christ in all that you do.

Work with Integrity

Do your work with integrity. Some people may not appreciate your commitment to Christ or your commitment to excellence. Yet, they will in some way at some point be moved to glorify God because of you. Peter commanded, "Have your conduct honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation (1 Pet. 2:12)."

Fifth, your work matters because it helps you fulfill the cultural mandate. In Gen 1:28, we read: "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." Don't miss the commands to replenish, subdue, and have dominion over the earth. These dynamics relate to gospel influence in the world; in the culture; in the communities in which God has placed us.

Historically, Christians led the way in the development of hospitals, the university system, the arts, scientific endeavor, and technology. This reality is connected to God's general revelation of Himself as pointed out in Ps. 19:1 previously. Christians seek to discover all of that which God has revealed and put it on display to make a difference in this world that He might be praised among the nations. Cultures influenced by the gospel have always advanced in these key areas and more. Cultures in which gospel influence has waned also see a declining effect in those same areas.

In other words, with your work, while Christ and the other world is ultimate, we are commanded to impact this world for Christ. That means not only individual salvation but social and structural transformation, though again, not divorced from the gospel. But, that does in fact mean that with your work, you make the world a better place. We can see this cultural/dominion mandate in Paul's command to Titus: "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men (Titus. 3:8)." Paul says our good works/work is profitable to men. Here he means the world in general.

Influence Society

With your work, you provide an exemplary influence in society. Again, Paul exhorts, "Let no man despise your youth; but you be an example of the believers, in word, in conduct, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Tim. 4:12)." Yes, this command is in the context of Timoth's pastoral ministry, but the application is appropriate. Christians are examples for others to follow in general and in terms of work ethic. You will compel others to do well by your good example. You will not only influence the culture at large, but you will influence your own work culture.

Sixth, your work matters because you show people that Christians are different. We've already noted that we should do whatever we do with all of our might (Ecc. 9:10). That is certainly a different approach to work than most display.

Further, Paul says, "Do all things without complaining and disputing (Phil. 2:14)." That too is different.

How about this? "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand (Phil. 4:4-5)." Would people see you as being different form the average worker with an attitude like that?

And did I mention diligence? "And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you (2 Cor. 8:22)."

Can you be different in how you react to adversity at work and make an impact in so being? "For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content (Phil. 4:11)."

How about giving to others as a result of your work? Your work will be different if you engage in it with a view toward having extra to give to others. Paul encouraged, "Let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need." People will be grateful, and they will see Christ in you.

Of course, in your dialogue about work itself, you could speak of these things and then use them as an opportunity to segue into those things which are ultimate. This work is indeed temporary, but the work you do in the midst of it and behind it is eternal.

We could go on. This little sketch is but a cursory overview. Suffice it to say that we should be encouraged by these things, in these things, and to these things. May your heart be filled with love for Christ and others as you put Him on display in the work place. May you make a difference and see that difference for your own sense of purpose and joy in Christ. And remember:

Yes Alissa, your work matters.

Relativism 101: A Brief, Objective Guide

By Carl E. Olson

It is, according to Pope Benedict XVI, "the most profound difficulty of our time." Pope John Paul II said it is a leading cause for lack of evangelistic and missionary zeal. And the late Allan Bloom, author of the controversial bestseller The Closing of the American Mind, said it is the only thing that many university students believe in.

Defining Relativism

All three are referring to relativism, the belief that truth is in the eye of the beholder. Relativism insists that morality, cultures, and beliefs are all of equal value, meaning, and worth. It asserts that what is true for one person might not be true for another, and each person can decide for himself what is true, good, and right. Popular expressions of relativism include comments such as, "This is true for me -- and so I believe it" and "What's right for you might not be right for me."

In his homily at the Mass preceding the conclave that quickly elected him Pope Benedict XVI, then-Cardinal Ratzinger said that "relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and ‘swept along by every wind of teaching,’ looks like the only attitude [acceptable] to today’s standards." He warned: "We are moving toward a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one’s own ego and one’s own desires."

Relativism comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. For example, cultural relativism holds that "truth" is merely the creation of a particular culture and what is "true" for for one culture is not necessarily "true" for other cultures. There is moral relativism, the belief that morality is a subjective social creation of a particular people in a certain time and place -- and that morality can be changed as desired or needed.

Situational relativism asserts that what is "right" and "wrong" depends on the specifics of each situation -- not upon objective, transcendent morality. And cognitive relativism is the philosophical belief that truth, rationality, and knowledge are relative -- there is not such thing as objective, definitive truth.

The Roots of Relativism

Bloom, who taught at the University of Chicago for many years, wrote, "There is one thing a professor can be absolutely certain of: almost every student entering the university believes, or says he believes, that truth is relative." He explained that for such students this relativity of truth is "not a theoretical insight but a moral postulate, the condition of a free society." For many people today, this belief in the relative nature of truth is a primary virtue -- perhaps the only virtue.

Although there is evidence of relativism among the ancient Greek sophists, fully developed relativism appeared much later in Western thought. Some scholars have located its modern beginnings in nominalism, a philosophical position claiming that reality cannot be comprehended through the use of universal and abstract concepts, but only through the study of specific, individual objects. It was William of Ockham (1298-1347), a Catholic philosopher, who set forth nominalistic thought in its most comprehensive form over against the realism of St. Thomas Aquinas. This move towards a subjective and intuitive knowledge, opposed to abstract and universal knowledge, led to later, more radical propositions in the realms of theology and morality.

Although Hegel, Kant, Marx, and others played significant roles in the development of relativistic thought, special mention goes to German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900). Niezsche wrote that "the value of truth must for once be experimentally called into question." He insisted, "There are no facts, only interpretations" -- a pithy summary of the relativistic mentality, echoed by the common refrain heard in many corners of contemporary culture, "There is no truth, only opinions."

Cultural critic Roger Kimball, in Experiments Against Reality: The Fate of Culture in the Postmodern Age, states, "Nietzche's influence on contemporary intellectual life can hardly be overstated." Those influenced include Jacques Derrida and Michael Foucault, two intellectuals whose subversive, relativistic thought has itself had an enormous impact on academic thought and popular culture for over three decades.

Derrida's work in deconstruction -- which claims that truth cannot be known and that words have no real meaning -- was a type of hyper-nominalism As Kimball notes, Derrida's famous statement that "there is nothing outside the text" is "short hand for denying that words can refer to a reality beyond words, for denying that truth has its measure in something beyond the web of our language games." Or, put in more popular terms: "Words don't mean anything."

The Cardinal, the Pope, and Relativism

In Truth and Tolerance: Christian Belief and World Religions, then-Cardinal Ratzinger addresses relativistic assaults on truth and meaning. He is especially critical of the commonly held belief that truth cannot be known -- or, if it can, it can only be "true" for certain people, not for everyone. He writes that "to lay claim to truth for one religion's particular expressions of faith appears today, not merely presumptuous, but an indication of insufficient enlightenment." And he adds that this relativism "is the most profound difficulty of our age."

In a fitting turn of phrase, he describes this as "the dogma of relativism" -- a dogma that despises the Judeo-Christian tradition. A dogmatic dislike of orthodox Christianity is, of course, prevalent in Western culture. As Benedict XVI points out at length, it poses many challenges, especially when it comes to proclaiming the Gospel. It's one thing to argue that Christianity it true when the culture accepts that truth can be known; it's another matter altogether when many people believe (often absolutely) that absolute truth is about as real as Santa Claus and the tooth fairy.

Increasingly, those who proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ and His Church are fitted with tidy labels in an attempt to dismiss them from the public square. The Holy Father observes that "the belief that there is indeed truth, valid and binding truth, within history itself, in the person of Jesus Christ and in the faith of the Church, is referred to as fundamentalism." He states, "The Christian has to resist this ideology" of false equality, relativism, and bigotry.

Moral relativism is certainly not limited to the non-Catholic realm. Many within the Catholic Church have fallen prey to the seductive call of relativism. This has led to a serious crisis among certain moral theologians who have embraced the separation between will and act, resulting in a morality essentially free of the reality of sin, shot through with "sincerity" and coated in talk of "complexity."

In turn, some Catholics have concluded that "freedom" involves choosing for oneself what is true or false. Pope John Paul II addressed this misreading of truth and morality in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae ("The Gospel of Life"), where he stated:

This view of freedom leads to a serious distortion of life in society. If the promotion of the self is understood in terms of absolute autonomy, people inevitably reach the point of rejecting one another. Everyone else is considered an enemy from whom one has to defend oneself... In this way, any reference to common values and to a truth absolutely binding on everyone is lost, and social life ventures on to the shifting sands of complete relativism. At that point, everything is negotiable, everything is open to bargaining: even the first of the fundamental rights, the right to life. (par 20)

The Way, the Truth, and the Cure

In Dominus Iesus ("On the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church"), the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith made special mention of the challenge of relativism. It did not provide easy answers, but instead insisted that the only real cure was the clear and unwavering proclamation of the Gospel: "As a remedy for this relativistic mentality, which is becoming ever more common, it is necessary above all to reassert the definitive and complete character of the revelation of Jesus Christ" (par 5).

In a world filled with doubt about the existence of truth, the Church and her members must continually introduce the seeking and the lost to the One who is "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6). And Pope Benedict XVI will undoubtedly be leading the way in confronting the dictatorship of relativism with the freedom of Truth.

-------
Carl E. Olson is the editor of IgnatiusInsight.com.

He is the co-author of The Da Vinci Hoax: Exposing the Errors in The Da Vinci Code and author of Will Catholics Be "Left Behind"?

He resides in a top secret location in the Northwest somewhere between Portland, Oregon and Sacramento, California. Visit his personal web site at www.carl-olson.com.

Lifting the Level of Our Prayer

By Charles Stanley

Do you pray for friends and family only when there is a crucial need, or do you ask God to show you how to pray for those around you on a daily basis? Many people wait to pray until there is an emergency - a death, a serious illness, or a crucial decision. The apostle Paul was aware of the physical needs of the early church yet he chose to pray most intensely for their spiritual growth and well being.

I'm sure he prayed many times for their physical care. No one was more sensitive to the needs of the early church than Paul. He heard the accounts of abuse at the hands of the Roman and Jewish officials. However, in the opening chapter of Ephesians we find Paul praying for something greater than deliverance in suffering - that they would gain wisdom and a revelation of God's character. He asks the Father to give these early believers and us insight and knowledge that exceeds anything we have ever known.

"For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe?" (Ephesians 1:15-19)

When overwhelming trials come, and they come to all of us, the one thing that saves us from mental collapse is the knowledge that God is with us. We can withstand anything when we realize that God will never forsake us, never leave us, never walk away, and never stop loving us. Paul's prayer was a prayer of power and of specific direction. It went straight to the point.

Many times we wander around in prayer, "God, please bless Aunt Martha and keep Uncle Joe safe." Those prayers are nice, but they lack depth and energy. It is much more powerful to ask God to infuse His wisdom and strength into the lives of those around us.

God gives direction to our prayers as we ask Him to show us how to pray for others. He gives both wisdom and discernment as we submit to His leadership. He uses prayers to meet needs, open doors, change attitudes, and mend broken relationships. The potential of prayer is limitless when guided by the Spirit of God.

All of us need prayer. We all need someone to pray for us because we live in a fallen world where temptation lurks on every side.

Praying with Power and Direction The first step to praying effectively for another person is to pray specifically. For years people have written or called to share how they are praying for me. Many times their prayers are right on target with something that I am facing. I think, "Lord, You knew exactly what I needed, and You have guided this person to pray according to Your will for my life."

God is a God of specifics. His desire is that we would learn to pray specifically for the needs and spiritual growth of others. Paul's prayer was very specific and very powerful. In a short amount of space he asks God to do something absolutely life changing in the lives of the Ephesians.

For some time now, I have kept a written diary of my prayers for other people. It helps me examine my prayers, the needs of the people around me, and the way God is working in their lives. The most powerful activity you can participate in is prayer. That is why you need to think through what you are praying for another individual. Nothing so moves the circumstances of life as prayer does.

Prayer motivates God to accomplish His will. Of course, He can do this without our prayers; but we miss a tremendous lesson of faith. It takes faith to ask God to work in another person's life. People who have a hard time believing God for answered prayer usually have weak faith. Great faith looks to God for His best and His direction.

Making Big Requests Paul's prayers were comprehensive and rich in quality. They were not loaded up with large words and theological terms but dealt directly with spiritual issues critical to the life of the early church. They contained ideas that made a difference in the early believer's personal walk with the Lord.

When you pray for others, do you visualize God working to bring that person or persons into closer fellowship with Him? Paul wanted believers everywhere to experience a fullness in Jesus Christ.

The third aspect of Paul's prayers was the magnitude of what he prayed for. He asked for big things. He prayed for the believers in Colossae to be strengthened and empowered according to God's glorious might. He never prayed, "God, just strengthen these people so they can go through this difficult time." No. He prayed for a specific need.

Faith motivates prayer, and prayer motivates God. "For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light" (Colossians 1:9-12).

Paul is caught up in the truth of God and not the hardship of his surroundings. He wrote the Ephesians and Colossians during a very difficult time in his own life. He was in prison in Rome, but he never mentions his suffering. There is no hint of self pity. His understanding of God is so mighty and with such magnitude that he knew the quality of his prayers must reflect the quality of God's desire for His people.

God is still in the process of answering the prayers of the apostle Paul today. We are discovering the will of God, learning to walk after the pattern of the Lord, bearing spiritual fruit, growing in our knowledge of God, and coming into a complete understanding of His power and strength. If we teach our children how to pray for specific needs and they teach their children the same thing, imagine the magnitude of godly power that will be released. Prayer is the greatest force on earth. Nothing is greater than talking to a sovereign God. You and I have the greatest opportunity in existence. The prayer of one man or woman can move almighty God to do what nothing else will.

Prayer Evokes Power The emphasis of Paul's prayers to the Colossians and Ephesians is on power. Paul wanted the people to experience in a practical way the surpassing, indescribable greatness of the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. He prayed that they would walk relying upon the supernatural strength and energy of the Holy Spirit.

Many people have to get up courage to ask God for something really big. When He answers their prayers they are shocked. We look at other people who spend a large amount of time praying and think the power of God is so visible in their lives. The truth is the same power of the Holy Spirit living in them abides in each one of us.

The difference is the quality, magnitude, and emphasis of prayer. When you pray, ask God to show you how to pray for another person. Then trust Him for the outcome. All prayer comes down to a matter of faith. Do you truly believe God for the things He promises in His Word, or do you think He only answers the prayers of others?

The level of our prayers is lifted the moment we begin praying that God will bring us and those we are around into a new understanding of His wisdom and knowledge. Jesus Christ should always be the focus of all our prayers for others. Paul's prayers glorified God. He based his prayers on God's truth. The one thing that elevates the level of our prayers is the knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. Paul always linked his requests to God's truth.

When you begin praying as Paul did in Colossians 1:9-12, your love and worship of Jesus Christ increase dramatically. You will fall in love with Him in a fresh new way. Never allow yourself to think that your prayers won't make a difference. You have the same God, the same position in Christ, and the same ability that the apostle Paul had. You just have a different role to fulfill in this life.

If you don't know how to pray for someone, begin with the prayer in Colossians 1:9-12. God is committed to answering that prayer. When you pray it for a friend, family member, or co-worker, you can count on God to work in that person's life. When we get serious about prayer, God notices and blessings are sure to come. (James 5:16)

-------
The level of our prayer determines how high are we soaring in the level of our spirituality. Are you still praying for yourself only or are you praying for others too -- especially those who harbor enmity with you? Do you ask more for material things or do you pray for spiritual matters? How high can soar in your prayer especially during times of storms in your life?

Words That Can Make the Difference

By Dr. Jehan Sadat
Condensed from the Philippine Star

This is a commencement address delivered at the University of Maryland and reprinted in the column of Mrs. Arabella H. Driscoll of the Philippine Star. Mrs. Sadat was the wife of President Anwar Sadat of Egypt.

I will never forget the first thing I learned from Anwar Sadat, because it may have been the most important thing he ever taught me. It was many years ago, so long ago in fact, that it was before he was even my husband. It was when he was to meet my mother for the very first time.

You must understand that I was born of a mixed marriage - my mother was English and my father was Egyptian. And like many other English women of that time, my mother, who was a teacher all her life, worshipped Winston Churchill, whom she believed to be the greatest living English statesman.

You may not remember that from 1882 until 1952, Egypt was, for all intents and purposes, a British colony, controlled by British interests.

And so that first meeting between my mother and the man who was to become my husband went smoothly enough, until my mother got around to asking Anwar, "So, what do you think about Winston Churchill?" My husband did not pause for a moment. "Madame," he said, "I think he is a thief."

Well, as you can imagine, that was about the end of the meeting, and it was nearly the end of the marriage. I was distraught. Several days later, I called Anwar and asked him why - why did he have to tell my mother what he really thought about Churchill. Why couldn't he just have lied? Anwar said to me, "I will never lie in that way. I will never pretend to feelings and loyalties that are against all I believe."

That day I learned something, not just about my husband, but about what was important - what was truly important - in life.

Beware of common sense. For you see, any one with common sense would have told my husband, you can't say that Winston Churchill is a thief and still expect to marry this young girl that you love. But he said, yes I can - I can speak the truth as I understand it and still win the respect and admiration, even of those who disagree. He said yes I can - and he did.

Now it is nearly 16 years since the Camp David accords, and today we are seeing the Palestinians and the Israelis at last in pursuit of peace. Many people around Arafat said, you cannot make peace with the Israelis. But he said yes I can go to Jerusalem, and he did.

And in 1978, when my husband and the Israeli prime minister were here in Maryland, at Camp David, trying to find a way to make a permanent and lasting peace, many advisors and people around Prime Minister Begin said you cannot agree to this treaty. But Prime Minister Begin said, "Yes, I can make peace with those who were once our enemies." And he did.

And two years ago, when Israel and the PLO first began to talk to one another, there were many, many voices on both sides that said, you cannot do this, you cannot talk to our enemies, to those we hate. But Arafat and Rabin said, yes we can talk, we can begin to learn to live together.

And for decades in South Africa, many voices spoke to Nelson Mandela, saying, you cannot hope to have free and fair elections or share power with the whites, we must rise up and kill them all. But Mandela said, yes we can bring about change, we can end apartheid by the ballot, not the bullet. And he has.

So much common sense said all these things were impossible. So many facts and figures and statistics said it could never be so. Do not trust the common sense that says differences are irreconcilable and peace is impossible. When your heart and your spirit and your soul tell you there is a better way, listen to them. There is. It has been said that we live in an age awash in knowledge, but bereft of wisdom. Perhaps this is so.

The computer that sits on your desk today can hold more information than the fabled library of Alexandria, the greatest repository of knowledge in the ancient world. But surely we cannot believe that someone who simply buys a computer thereby gains the wisdom of Socrates, the sagacity of Maimonides, the insight of Al-Kindi.

All the knowledge you have worked so hard to gather does not necessarily make you wise. Knowledge and wisdom are separate and distinct; never confuse the two. Knowledge can be had by any fool; wisdom comes only to those humble enough to be willing to admit all that they do not know.

Knowledge tells us anything can be had for a price. Wisdom teaches us that if the price is loss of honesty, integrity and self-respect, then the thing may not be worth having.

Knowledge tells us that we must first learn to love ourselves, before we can learn to love others. Wisdom tells us that self-love can easily turn into a lifetime occupation, and only by giving to others do we eventually receive ourselves.

Knowledge tells us that power and military forces are indisputable, and that he with the most guns and the biggest armies must invariably win. Wisdom teaches us that all the guns and armies of the world cannot stop an individual with an idea whose time has come.

And so my friends, as you go through life, let this be a warning to you. From this day forth you will meet many knowledgeable people. They will tell you that it's impossible, that it can't be done. Do not believe them if your heart tells you otherwise.

I invite you to remember a story from my own culture, a story so right, and true and correct that it has become a maxim here in your own land: If the prophet cannot go to the mountain, then the mountain will go to the prophet. There is a way. There is always a way for love, dignity, honor and peace.

My husband knew that peace was the way, and he decided that if peace would not come to him, then he would go to peace. Many around him said that it could not be done, and both he and I knew from the beginning that he might pay a terrible price for what he did. But he knew as well, that he had to do it.

And now, 16 years later, the peace that my husband gave his life for is still here, and those who said, for so long and so loud, that it cannot be done, that it was impossible, those names have faded into obscurity.

My dear fellow students in life, my respected colleagues in learning (for let me be the first to address you so):

Each of you, in the lives that now stretch out before you, will face a similar moment of truth. It may not be as big, or as public, or involve the destiny of nations or fate of millions. But it will be no less important.

Earlier, I said there were just three words I wished to tell you today. Those three words that can change the world. Those three words are: yes, I can.

All the knowledge in the world may tell you otherwise. There will be those who doubt, those who say it cannot be done, those who may even threaten to kill you if you dare to attempt it. But never forget those three words: yes, I can. They are immensely powerful. They will bring you to the mountain to you.

My mother would be immensely happy this afternoon, because I will leave you with the words of her hero, Sir Winston Churchill. "Courage is the greatest virtue, for without the courage of your convictions, all the other virtues are meaningless."

And my mother would be immensely proud this afternoon, not just for me, but of my husband as well, a man who had the courage in his life to say, "Yes, I can."

Beyond Words

What You Don't Say Says a Lot
By Ariel L. Noble
Health & Home, Jul-Aug 2000 Issue

In a conversation, a very large portion of the meaning of what we say is communicated nonverbally. Nonverbal cues can send the wrong signal to the listeners.

At a dinner party held in their grandparents' home, Edward commented about his cousin Albert's new girlfriend. "So you're seeing Irene?" he said, breaking into a smile that had an air of a sneer in it. "They say she changes boyfriends as often as she changes her clothes. Better watch out, kid."

Feeling insulted, Albert retorted, "So what! Who asked your opinion anyway?" He unceremoniously dropped his plate and walked out, leaving a waft of animosity hanging in the air.

Since their verbal tussle, Albert has refused to see or talk to Edward. Perhaps all Edward wanted was to give his cousin a fair warning. Instead, he reaped rancor, and his supposedly fraternal advice was taken as malicious blabber.

What went wrong? Edward's intentions for warning Albert must have been, to say the least, noble. The most civil act that his cousin could have done was to keep cool and give him the benefit of the doubt. But what angered Albert wasn't entirely the message; the way Edward delivered it did him in. the advice wasn't bad - it was simply ill-timed and communicated badly.

At some point in time, you must have been in the same boat as Edward was. Unwittingly, you must have said something with a grimace or a leer, a slumping posture, a very piercing look that gave the wrong impression to others. As Norwegian dramatist and poet Henrik Ibsen aptly put it: "A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed." In conversations, the meanings we attach to the messages we receive, more often that not, depend on the sender's actions, no matter how inconspicuous or harmless these may seem.

It's How You Say It

What's in a message that could mean one thing other than what you had intended it to mean? A lot.

What we communicate consists of two parts: the verbal and the nonverbal. The verbal element pertains to the spoken part while the nonverbal portion refers to the silent cues that we either knowingly or unknowingly convey when we open our mouths to speak.

In their book, Communication Works, Teri Gamble and Michael Gamble used the phrase "nonverbal communication" to refer to "all kinds of human responses not expressed in words." Our gestures, our facial expressions, our eye movements, the way we stand, our distance from the other person - all these and more form part of our nonverbal cues.

Experts say that in a typical conversation between two people, "the verbal channel carries less than 35 percent of a message's social meaning." In other words, a very large proportion of the meaning of what we say is communicated nonverbally. Indeed, actions speak louder than words. We should therefore pay attention to the message we convey as well as the manner by which we convey it. Otherwise, we'd be misunderstood by others.

Forms of Nonverbal Communication

Authorities on the subject have classified nonverbal cues into several categories. Most common among these are kinesics, paralanguage, proxemics, and tactile communication.

Kinesics, popularly known as body motion or body language, includes gestures, body movements, facial expressions, eye movements, and stance or posture. Unfortunately, there are people who have trouble controlling their body movements during a conversation and suiting their gestures with their words. So they end up being accused of feelings they didn't feel, simply because their actions are incongruous with what they say.

Paralanguage, or voice, pertains to the vocal cues that accompany spoken language such as pitch (highness or lowness of the voice), rate (speed at which you talk), hesitations and pauses.

Proxemics is defined as "the use of space by human beings." Douglas Ehninger and others noted that it is "one of the most important but perhaps the least recognized aspects of nonverbal communication."

According to Gamble and Gamble, the term proxemics was coined by Edward Hall in his book The Hidden Dimension. The duo described it as the "space that exists between us as we talk and relate to each other as well as the way we organize the space around us in our homes, offices and communities."

How close we are to people during a conversation manifests the extent of our involvement and concern for them. Hall identifies four types of human distances: intimate (zero to 18 inches); personal (18 inches to four feet); social (four to 12 feet); and public (12 feet up to the limit of sight).

Tactile communication, or touch, is one of the most basic forms of human communication. Our use of touch when we communicate tells a lot about us - our status, attitudes, needs. It sends many meanings to the person we make contact with. Some respond quickly to touch. Depending on the degree of our intimacy to them, coddling, caressing, patting and smooching are some tactile strokes that we can do to comfort them, express our love, and show that we care for them.

Watch Out for Those Nonverbal Cues

Below are some pointers on nonverbal communication that you should keep in mind when engaged in human interaction.

1. Be careful with your body language. Learn to match your verbal message with appropriate head and hand gestures. Nod your head when you agree to or understand what the other person said. Touch him or her to show your sympathy, appreciation or understanding. Quirks and mannerisms, no matter how innocuous they are to you, can distract, intimidate or turn off the other person. Clenching your fists manifests anger. Snickering while somebody is saying something serious is rude. Tapping your feet, drumming your fingers, glancing frequently at your watch, or scratching the back of your head suggests irritation or impatience. Pointing your finger at a person to emphasize something is not only insulting but also demeaning. Control these as much as you can.

2. Watch out for the tone of your voice. Vary your tone when you speak. Speaking in a monotone will bore the other person. It's the surest way to lose your listener's attention. Adjust your tone to suit the message you are imparting. Too loud a voice suggests arrogance and aggressiveness, giving the impression that you want to dominate the conversation. Avoid mumbling, a very soft voice implies that you are timid, incommunicative, uninterested or guilty of something. Speak in a pleasantly audible voice. Don't talk too fast. Give the other party a chance to grasp the meaning of your speech and absorb your ideas. Radiate enthusiasm, sincerity and certainty in your talk.

3. Be aware of your facial expressions. Normally, our expressions correspond to what we say. There are times, however, when people misinterpret us because of the way we look when we talk. Among others, squinting your eyes, batting those eyelashes, smirking, frowning, raising your eyebrows, rolling your eyeballs, staring at nowhere, and yawning can be misconstrued as signs of impatience, boredom, contempt, doubt or annoyance even if they're not. Convey your interest to your listener by maintaining eye contact. Smile whenever he or she says something pleasant and favorable.

4. Mind your posture and position. Avoid crossing your arms or placing them on your hips. You risk being misconstrued as arrogant or imperious. Lean slightly forward to make the other person feel that you're listening intently to him or her. Stand straight, placing your weight equally on both legs. Don't stand too close for comfort to the person you are talking to (unless you are that intimate with each other). This can be interpreted as an aggressive stance. Don't stand too far away from him or her either. He or she might take this as a sign of evasion or indifference.

From now on, observe the way you converse with people and set out to correct those obtrusive nonverbal cues that get in the way of your efforts to be understood. Be conscious with what you say. But be very cautious with the way you say it. It could mean a lot to others whether you say a few words or a mouthful. Finally, keep these words in mind: "Kind words are like honey - sweet to the taste and good for your health" (Proverbs 16:24).

-------
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost. -- Billy Graham

Christianity is for Losers

By Ray Comfort, WayOfTheMaster.com

If you have ever preached in the open air, you will know that there are a number of fears you have to overcome. There is your own natural fear -- that your mind may go blank and you will make a fool of yourself in front of a crowd of people. There's the fear of being asked a question you can't answer, or of attracting an angry heckler. But there is actually a bigger fear you will have to learn to live with.

It's the fear of having a crowd gather and then scattering them as soon as they hear what you have to say.

It's disheartening to pray for listeners, have them gather, and then watch them walk away while you are still speaking. That's why I pray for a good heckler. A good (angry) heckler can take a crowd of three people and make them three hundred in a matter of three minutes; and if you learn to handle yourself and the heckler right, the crowd will stay.

There are some people who think differently. They don't mind standing up publicly, opening a Bible, and talking to no one. However, that doesn't look good, and it confirms in the mind of those that pass by that open air preachers are weirdos. They talk to themselves. Publicly. Sadly, much of the reproach leveled at open air preachers has nothing to do with the message they preach, but rather how they present themselves.

The problem is that the modern day open air preacher in the United States carries a lot of unwanted baggage. The moment he/she stands up to preach with a Bible in hand, he becomes the victim of prejudice. He is immediately lumped in with the wide-eyed sign-carrying "The end is nigh" folks, or the money-hungry televangelists, pedophile priests, simple-minded Bible-quoting creationists and snake-handling fanatics. That's why I don't hold a Bible in my hand when I preach, and why I rarely mention spiritual things when I begin speaking. Scripture warns us that the ungodly think that spiritual things are foolish (1 Corinthians 2:14), so if I want them to gather and then stay to listen to the gospel, I have to know how to hold their interest.

There are learned skills involved in fishing, and perhaps one of the first is to use good bait and to know how to use that bait to disguise the hook. The average fish isn't stupid.

A year or so ago, someone gave us hundreds of brand new stuffed toys, so we began using them to attract fish. We would stand up with a hand full of toys, ask trivia questions, and give them away to those who gave the correct answers. Then, after gaining a semblance of credibility with the crowd, we would swing to spiritual things, and more than often the crowd would stay and listen to the gospel.

There are some that would say that using stuffed toys to attract a crowd is the old "bait and switch" trick. I suppose you could call it that. We begin with the "bait" of toys, and then we "switch" to the things of God. Most of our tracts do that. They begin in the natural realm before they swing to the spiritual. Jesus did that with the woman at the well in John chapter four. He didn't sit on the well and tell her that she would have to drink His blood and eat His flesh to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. She may have thought that that sounded a little strange. Instead He spoke to her about water. That was something she could understand. Then He swung to the topic of her salvation. That wasn't deceitful. It wasn't a "bait and switch" con trick. That was wise. It was exercising discretion.

I love what someone who shared his faith said, when he was criticized by someone who wasn't involved in evangelism. He gently replied, "Well, I like the way I do it better than the way you don't."

Water Running Uphill

The day before Christmas, 2006, I did things a little differently. When someone answered a trivia question incorrectly I had the thought that it was Christmas -- the season of giving -- so I said, "That's wrong," and threw him the toy. That made the crowd laugh.

I asked another question. "What is the most common food people choke to death on in U.S. restaurants?" Someone called out "Steak!" I called back "Wrong! Have a bear," and tossed out another stuffed toy. I then noticed a mom quickly coaxing her four children to step forward, so I asked the question again. One of the kids called out "Ice cream!" I said, "Wrong! Have a bear," and threw out another one. The crowd laughed again. The same thing happened with the other three children, much to their delight. This not only gathered a crowd, made kids and parents happy, it made the crowd happy enough to stay and listen.

I was aware that there was something very weird about what I was doing. Life in this world isn't like that. Losers don't get the prize. Ever. It's like water running uphill. But that's what it's like in the Kingdom of God. Christians are losers. They were at war with God and His Law. They were morally bankrupt and heading for Hell. But instead of trying to justify their guilt or hide their sin, they justified God. They said, "I am wrong and God is right. The battle is over. I surrender. He wins, and I lose."

In doing so, the sinner then gains the greatest gift of all -- eternal life. He didn't earn it, and he didn't deserve it. He can't boast of his achievements. He can only boast of God's kindness in the gospel, where the last become the first, the first became last, and the losers become winners.

Before You Blog that Rumor

By Kelly Boggs

Most everything has a downside. While oversized SUVs provide comfort and a measure of safety, they only get a few miles per gallon. The convenience of a backyard pool is offset by perpetual daily maintenance. Flying may be the quickest and most efficient way to travel but it comes with delays, probing security checks and overpriced food.

Even the Internet, with all of its positive contributions to the world, has a downside. The World Wide Web is a medium that has become saturated with pornography, gambling, predators and scammers.

While electronic mail has made communication more efficient and cost-effective, it also has made it much easier to spread gossip. Add weblogs, known as blogs, to the mix and the Internet has become a virtual hothouse in which rumor, hearsay and outright lies thrive.

Many bloggers utilize the Internet in positive ways. They disseminate news, informed opinion and helpful facts. Some use the medium as nothing more than personal diaries. However, there is a growing number of blogs that seem dedicated to nothing more than character assassination.

Rumor-mongering blogs have operated with impunity. A recent USA Today report, however, has raised the legal implications of negative blogging.

It seems people who have been smeared on the Internet are fighting back by taking their attackers to court. While no significant judgment has yet been leveled against any blogger, most legal analysts believe it is just a matter of time.

"It hasn’t happened yet, but soon, there will be a blogger who is successfully sued and who loses his home," Robert Cox, founder and president of the Media Bloggers Association, told USA Today. "That will be the shot heard round the blogosphere."

Beyond the legal issue of libel, there are ethical considerations, especially for those who care about such things. Sadly, after several years of Internet use, I have concluded that many bloggers and e-mail gossipers simply aren’t concerned with ethics.

Who among us has not received an e-mail containing ominous information about a ring of medical school dropouts roaming the country stealing kidneys or Madelyn Murray O’Hair’s effort to remove Christian programming from the airwaves? Both are urban legends.

On occasion I have responded to the sender of false information with a Web link pointing out the bogus nature of the e-mail they had transmitted. More times than not, I have received a reply that amounted to "so what."

One person I e-mailed indicated that he did not have time to check out the truthfulness of such information. He simply sent it on because it could possibly be true. Ethics? Forget about it, I’m busy.

Forwarding e-mail containing an urban legend might not cause anyone harm, but information that attacks someone’s character is a different matter entirely.

"The Internet is just a world passing around notes in a classroom," said Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show." He may be right, but if the intent of the "note" is to defame or destroy, it is wrong whether it takes the form of a blog or an e-mail.

I am not exactly sure what motivates someone to post a libelous blog or send a malicious e-mail. Perhaps it is jealousy, envy, bitterness or the desire for revenge. No matter the reason, it is always unethical.

If you have any exposure to the Internet, whether you surf the World Wide Web or only utilize e-mail, you will encounter negative and nasty communications. Consider the following as you assess the information:

"Gossip need not be false to be evil -- there is a lot of truth that shouldn’t be passed around", someone has observed. No matter how noble the blogger/e-mailer seems to be, it is wise to consider that there could be an underlying negative motivation for the information.

Remember, an expert gossiper knows just how much to leave out of his or her communication. What is the blogger/e-mailer not telling you?

"Vilify, vilify, some of it will always stick," French playwright Pierre De Beaumarchais once said. British physician Thomas Fuller once observed, "Even doubtful accusations leave a stain behind them." Character assassins, whether they attack with a blog or via e-mail, know the aforementioned all too well.

The writer of Proverbs states, "He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends." Nothing good can come from disseminating gossip, whether electronically or otherwise.

When it comes to the downside of Internet gossip, remember the lyrics from I Heard It Through the Grapevine crooned by Marvin Gaye: "People say believe half of what you see, son, and none of what you hear."