Wednesday, May 17, 2017

One Creation or Two

FUTURISTIC
NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH

Did the universe have a cause for its beginning? Yes. Good science, good philosophy, and good theology confirm that every actual made-thing had a beginning. In addition to the biblical view of God, nature presents millions of pieces of evidence of God as the powerfully intelligent eternal Creator who made the heavens and the earth in the beginning. The following two premises lead to a valid cosmological conclusion. 

1.) The universe had a beginning. 
2.) Everything that had a beginning had a cause. 
3.) Therefore, the universe had a cause for its beginning. 

Genesis 1-3 describe the process and development of the first creation before God blocked Adam and Eve from the tree of life due to disobedience and, unfortunately, a deceptive encounter with Satan. Will there be another creation in the future? In Revelation chapter 21, an angel showed John a vision and told him about a futuristic new heaven, a new earth, and a new holy city where the blessed will eat fruit from the tree of life. Yes, there will be a second creation after God gives a final judgment of all the humans that have ever lived. One big difference between the first creation and the second creation is access to fruit from the tree of life (Rev. 22:1).

Non-Christian skeptics might reject a one-creation model of the origin of the universe or they might embrace some creator who does not interact with the cosmos. These non-Christian views of the origin of the universe range from but are not limited to coming from atheism, agnosticism, casual doubting, pantheism, certain monotheistic religions, and uncaused evolutionism. Non-Christians often view the origin of the universe from the perspective of a skeptic or the view of a misleading belief system. Barriers to understanding the origin of the universe are mostly due to intellectual obstacles, irrational emotional excuses, or rebellion on various levels.

In contrast, after much study and proper analyzing, Christianity has confirmed that the origin of the universe had a beginning, and the beginning must have had someone eternally intelligent and powerful who caused it to begin. The book of Genesis confirms that the creation unfolded in steps over time by the hand of our Creator. It does not say that the whole of creation was an instant act all at once. Rather, the Bible confirms that the act of creation was developed by the Creator in multiple steps over a length of time referred to as days. In addition, the creation of the heavens and the earth and all the created things that exist on earth did not unfold by itself through a kind of unguided macroevolution development from one mysterious uncaused point. Moreover, while an expanding cosmos gives evidence that the beginning of the universe started with a big bang, this type of hot big bang must have been carefully orchestrated by a powerfully intelligent designer. The beginning of the universe may have started out from a small singular point, but it must have been created ex nihilo from One who caused it to begin. The origin of the universe ex nihilo (from nothing) was caused by the one and only: the lovingly personal, powerfully creative, eternal God.

Skeptics typically believe that this universe is all that there will ever be for human beings. In one sense they are correct because mortals exist in this decaying universe for a finite time. As the saying goes, for unbelievers, this universe is the closest world the unsaved will ever get to God. Some doubters think the universe will hopelessly end while others guess it will go on forever without any supreme being. Born again mortals resurrected by the power of God in the blessed first resurrection will live and reign with Christ.

Unless skeptics believe in a multiverse or reincarnation, they limit existence to a spiritless life on earth, thinking there is no heaven, no hell, no spirit, no soul, no afterlife and no white throne judgment after the first and second resurrection. However, skeptics cannot deny the invisible human mind since every human has one. Non-Christians who reject the Christian view of the origins of the universe do not grasp the invisible human mind as something that is a part of the invisible human soul. Skeptics live among the uneducated as well as the educated. They exist as the unwise and the wise. They communicate as both a philosopher and a carefree rebel. Agnostics confess that they do not know if there is a God who created the universe, and some agnostics will go further, giving an incomplete conclusion that it is not possible to know the origins of the universe. Opposite to agnostics are the monotheists and polytheists. While some scientists such as Einstein might agree with the rightful conclusion that God must have been the one who created the universe, many of these scientists believe in macroevolution or guess that God does not intervene or that humans are alone in the universe. Christianity teaches that God is closer than a brother. The New Testament teaches that believers and followers of Christ will receive eternal life and live in a perfect new creation with God. This second creation for followers of Christ will be wonderfully perfect, without decay. In the new creation, there will be no more death. 

The good news of the gospel message of Jesus Christ is this: Jesus Christ the Man of God began to exist in Mary’s womb when the Holy Spirit caused Mary to become pregnant. Jesus Christ the Son of God was born from his virgin human mother, Mary. Jesus lived as a man and many of his miracles have been recorded in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Jesus preached about many things:  the kingdom of God, the need to repent from sin each day, how to live a better life, how to be born again, and how to receive eternal life. He foretold his resurrection on many occasions, and his prophecies have come true. While he existed as the Man of God, he also claimed and proved to be fully God in the human flesh who lived and dwelt among us with the limitations of being a human being. He willingly paid the price for all of mankind’s sin by willingly dying on the cross to pay the penalty for all who receive him as their personal savior. Three days after he died on the cross, he rose from the dead. 

Prayer of one-time salvation, a prayer of confirmation, or rededication: 
Dear Lord, I believe that Jesus lived as the Man of God and the Son of God, fully human and fully God. I am sorry for my sins. I believe Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for all my sins. Help me to turn away from sin each day and help me to walk with you in grace. Teach me truth and how to live a better life by remaining in the words of Christ. I believe Jesus miraculously rose from the dead. Thank you for giving me eternal life. Thank you for being my savior who forgives me of all my sins. Help me to give you thanks each day for my salvation and to praise and worship you in spirit and truth. Teach me your good ways that bring life. In Jesus name, Amen.

Creator and the Cosmos by Hugh Ross, 1993.


Why the Universe Is the Way It Is by Hugh Ross, 2008

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Sons of God and Daughters of Men

Quick Meaning of:
Sons of God and Daughters of Men
From Genesis 6:1-5


Angels Descending by Rupert Bunny
Have you ever heard that "angelic men" on earth had offspring by "human women"? If so, this quick reference can help clear up the misconception.

1. Read in Context
Genesis 6 follows two very important stories: the fall in the Garden of Eden and Cain’s poor service and attitude toward God and his brother, Abel. At that time, the age of a human being could extend to 900 years old. When reading Genesis 6, it is important to remember that the world environment was completely different. Humans could live hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of real-years old. The world-wide flood had not happened yet. There was no internet. There was no Starbucks. A clock hadn’t even been made yet. Living conditions were completely different, but sin was very real. Unfortunately, Cain had killed his brother Abel.

After Genesis 6:1-5, another very important story is found: the world-wide flood. The flood occurred due to extreme wickedness that was running wild on earth (Gen. 6:11-13). Noah and his family were saved in order to carry on the messianic line, which would continue through Shem and later through Abraham.

2. Study the Real Nature of Angels
Many points should be made, but I will only make two points to get started. First, angels do not marry; they do not have sex; they are not referred to as having male or female sex organs (Mt. 22:23-33, Mk. 12:18-27, Lk. 20:27-38). A study on when "marriage" is first historically introduced in Genesis is a very interesting study. Did Adam and Eve ever have an official marriage? At some point, marriage became widely known. Second, it is not even necessary for angels to eat food because their body does not need to receive the earth-nutrition for survival, although some of them have been known to eat food while they assumed a human-like form, the food does not ‘absorb’ into the body in the same way that it does a mortal. An excellent resource on the nature of angels can be found in The Christian Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas by Etienne Gilson. Two excellent theological resources include Summa Theologica Vol. One by Thomas Aquinas and Systematic Theology Vol. Two by Dr. Norman Geisler.

Who Are the "Sons of God" and the "Daughters of Men"?

3. Study the Proper Translation (and various uses of the word “son” and "sons")
“Sons of God” in Genesis 6:1-5 does not refer to angelic beings in the sense that they were non-fallen heavenly spirits. Many scholars refer to "sons of God" in Gen. 6:1-5 as the GODLY DESCENDANTS OF SETH, but the "sons of God" in Job 38:7 are real heavenly angels before the earth was made. Remember, Satan was a fallen angel who assumed the form of a talking serpent in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1). Satan had already been somehow transformed into a wild animal, a serpent. However, “thee Son of Man” is Jesus Christ who took on the form of a human in addition to his divine nature of God. “Children of God” in the New Testament are born-again mortal believers who have received Christ as their Savior who died on the cross for their sins and believe they have eternal life in heaven, believing that Jesus rose from the dead as the first fruit, that is to say, as proof that all mortals will be resurrected, too. Another translation of Gen. 6:2 is that the real heavenly angels who rebelled and fell away from God somehow assumed a human-like form to have offspring with mortal earth-women. BUT if that case is used to justify an angel and a human who develop offspring, then how did the fallen angels transform into human-like forms? As far as I have learned, the fallen angels do not have power to transform themselves. Heavenly angels that assume a human-like body, however, have done so under divine power such as the angel Gabriel who appeared and spoke to Zechariah (Luke 1:11, 19) and Mary (Luke 1:26). In addition, the offspring could not have been any amount of 'angelic' substance. The least possible scenario would be for a fallen angel to somehow assume a human-like form, but the actual transformation cannot be explained, supported, or justified. Holy angels are a mystery, but a fallen angel transforming into a human-like form is even a bigger mystery. Yet the flood wiped out all mortals accept mortal Noah and his mortal family. 

Thus, the words “son” and “sons” are used in multiple, different ways. Moreover, the term "son of David" can refer to a mortal son who is found many generations after David, not the first immediate generation from David. 

RESOURCE LINKS below help explain the nature of "sons of God" and "daughters of men" in Genesis 6:
1. “the sons of God” - At that time in Genesis 6, the sons of God were those who were the godly, faithful in service to God. These people included the sons of Seth who called upon the name of the Lord. Today, they can be seen as the sons of Noah, sons of Shem, sons of Abraham, children of the day, born-again believers from both Hebrew and Gentile biological descendants, those who seek the Lord, etc.
2. “the daughters of men” - At that time in Genesis 6, the daughters of men were those who were worldly, ungodly, not serving God, not seeking God, not calling upon his name, not giving God offerings, sexy seducers, etc., in other words, wild pagans. Today, these people can be seen as those who reject God, those who temp others to sin through deception and evil, etc.

WEBSITES:
http://defendinginerrancy.com/bible-solutions/Genesis_6.2.php

http://www.toughquestionsanswered.org/2009/06/19/who-are-the-sons-of-god-in-genesis-62/

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Testimony - Deciding To Love Reality

Last week, I heard a twenty-six year old woman give her testimony, and my heart sunk down to a place where I wanted to give her peace and hope. Without even really realizing it, she had given herself to the wrong crowd as a teenager, a party crowd that unfortunately offered her a private place where she could dive into drugs and alcohol as a way to escape from reality. At first, she liked escaping from reality by smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol. It seemed exciting at first, but she soon found herself reaching toward cocaine for a quick fix, and she eventually began to suffer from the side effects of trying to quit using heroin. Some people are addicted to prescriptions and anti-depressants and find themself in a similar mess. She was looking to numb herself from the pain and from the emptiness she felt on the inside. She was in denial about the trap she had placed herself in, and she didn’t know how to get out of it. Her parents had divorced when she was four years old, and ever since then, she carried a lot of hurt around wherever she went. She wanted the hurtfulness and the pain and the emptiness to go away, but she didn’t trust in the resurrecting power within her reach. Throughout her childhood and as a teenager, she said she never felt like she fit in. She didn’t like how the teachers and kids and other parents treated her like something was wrong with her as if she was never good enough.

What a mess, but the good news is that Jesus Christ is in the business of working out the messiest kind of messes.

In and out of rehab, this woman began to realize deep down inside that she never wanted to become a drug addict, but she couldn’t seem to make her life any better on her own. Try as she might, her life was not improving. She left an abusive relationship and couldn’t keep a job for long. For a long time, she tried to fool herself into thinking that she wasn’t an addict because she tried to convince herself that she could stop at any point. However, the side effects were too great and her weakness for taking drugs had taken over in her life. Her chosen lifestyle of popularity and partying had pushed her so far into a hole that she couldn’t climb out of it by herself. She was so desperate for drugs to feel better that she began to sell her body. The people she chose to hang out with were also taking drugs, which spiraled the problem even further down into a bottomless pit of destruction.

Finally, at age twenty-five, she called upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to save her. And He did. She no longer surrounds herself with party people who take drugs. She no longer surrounds herself with seemingly popular people who get drunk. She now realizes that behind the popular smiles and the seemingly popular personalities are really empty shadows on the inside with meaningless goals, self-serving tactics, and shallow relationships. She no longer looks for a quick fix to feel better. She no longer sees reality as something to escape from. Rather, it is in reality where she now knows she can call upon our redeemer and savior for help. The Holy Spirit is the one who restores her life now, heals her hurt places, and teaches her the better way to live. 

She gave her testimony last week to let people know that if you or someone you know is caught up in a lifestyle of drugs and alcohol, tell them that there is a better way to live, a life of hope and love and peace in the Lord Jesus Christ. He wants you to pursue a good relationship with Him.

Also, tell them that reality is beautiful, not something to escape from. Finding the beauty in creation each day is something millions of people do on a regular basis. Even though mortals temporarily live in a fallen world, beauty can be found in reality. Giving thanks to our Creator for being intelligent and powerful and for lovingly and willingly being our redeemer is the way to make a fresh start. He is intelligent enough to help every person no matter how difficult the situation, no matter how troubling the trail. He is powerful enough to help those who are stuck in a mortal rut.

Today is the day for salvation. Call upon His name today. For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, and whosoever believes in Him will be saved. He loves human beings so much that He died to pay the penalty for all their sin. On the third day after his death, He rose from the dead. Believe in Him, and eternal life will become a reality.

The beautiful reality is that male and female human beings are wonderfully made. He made male and female human beings in His image. He made plants and animals and human beings and saw that they are all good because they can participate in His goodness. Rocks and natural things exist, but plants have more life because they live and grow and die. Animals have even more life because they live and grow and can move around on their own and die. Human beings can have even more life because they are rational creatures that can be in a loving relationship with our Creator. Believers are chosen into His kingdom when they choose Him. Believe today and see that He chooses individual human beings who receive His love. He adopts human beings into His eternal kingdom. It isn’t that individuals aren’t chosen. It’s that He is waiting for each individual to choose to love Him on a daily basis. Praise Him everyday for his open arms of love and truth and comfort. Accepted by the Creator, believers are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb who died upon the cross. Believers are forgiven and loved by God Almighty. Every day is a day to praise the Lord for his faithfulness because, even though mortals temporarily live in a fallen world, his love endures throughout all generations.

In closing, know that male and female human beings are valued by our Creator. He cares about each individual and knows everything that each person is going through because He is all-knowing. He wants each individual to participate in His goodness. He wants each individual to become more aware of His presence. Stop running from Him. Start developing a good relationship with the one who gives life everlasting. The Lord Jesus Christ is the way, and He knows the way to eternal life. Stop checking out, and start checking in to Him.

He most certainly is trustworthy, and He is the most beautiful reality mortals will ever know on this side of heaven.

Recommended song: What a Beautiful Name by Hillsong
https://youtu.be/nQWFzMvCfLE





Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Writers 750 - 2016 Winter/Spring Trimester

Writers 750 offers four *FREE* classes from January-April 2016:  

Corruption 105 
Atmosphere 106 
Plots 107
Disguises 108

Fiction writers are welcome to stop by, join the program, and stay connected!

For directions, please visit:


As a creative fiction writer, there are many ways to approach the art of writing an original story
from beginning to end. At Writers 750, you are encouraged to use your skills to explore certain themes. 

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

GIANT TALES Dangerous Days (Book 4 Ch.4) Book Trailer


Watch this book trailer for:
"Giant Tales: Dangerous Days" (Book 4-Chapter 4) CHAPTER 4:

ANOTHER WORLD


Friday, December 19, 2014

Excellent Winter Vacation Gifts

Stocking Stuffers


As a creative gift this winter vacation, you might be interested in the "Giant Tales" collection for adults and children. Giant Tales offers a 3-minute series and a 10-minute series. Since adults and children are sometimes short on time, a short story is better than no reading at all. Many parents need to get back into the routine of reading out loud to their children and discussing the story. The Giant Tales books provide great stories to keep the reader engaged. 

The stories are loved by avid readers as well as people who need to get back into reading.

I highly recommend any of the six Giant Tales books. For ages 12 and up. 

The books include:

Giant Tales 3-Minute Stories: 
Giant Tales Beyond the Mystic Doors (Book 1) 
Giant Tales From the Misty Swamp (Book 2) 
Giant Tales: World of Pirates (Book 3) 
Giant Tales: Dangerous Days (Book 4)

Giant Tales 10-Minute Apocalypse Stories: 
Lava Storm In the Neighborhood (Book 1) 
Final Ships In the Neighborhood (Book 2) 
(Book 3) to be released in 2015

Here is a link to Amazon where you can see all six Giant Tales books:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=giant+tales+beyond+the+mystic+doors

Thank you,
Heather Marie Schuldt

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Book Event May 2014


It was a nice day at the Kaleidoscope Art Festival in Kannapolis, North Carolina, on Saturday, May 31, 2014. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn about Gryffon Master and the Giant Tales books. I enjoyed meeting so many wonderful people,