An atheist knows more than a Christian

This time Christopher Hitchens got it exactly right.

During a recent trip to Portland, Oregon, noted atheist Christopher Hitchens laid down some seriously good theology. Most people recognize Hitchens as the author of the bestselling book God is Not Great: Why Religion Poisons Everything. Since the book’s publication in 2007, Hitchens has toured the country debating a series of religious leaders, including some well-known evangelical thinkers. He is clever, acerbic, quick on his feet, and in general a very articulate spokesman for atheism. In Portland he was interviewed by Unitarian minister Marilyn Sewell. The entire transcript of the interview has been posted online. The following exchange took place near the start of the interview:

Sewell: The religion you cite in your book is generally the fundamentalist faith of various kinds. I’m a liberal Christian, and I don’t take the stories from the scripture literally. I don’t believe in the doctrine of atonement (that Jesus died for our sins, for example). Do you make and distinction between fundamentalist faith and liberal religion?

Hitchens: I would say that if you don’t believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you’re really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.

Sewell wanted no part of that discussion so her next words are, “Let me go someplace else."

This little snippet demonstrates an important point about religious “God-talk.” You can call yourself anything you like, but if you don’t believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and then rose from the dead, you are not “in any meaningful sense” a Christian.

We need to know what a Christian is and then live it.

For Those Suffering

Can The World See Jesus In You?

Here is an important question: Can the world see Jesus in you?

Noah

Here is a fictional account of Noah and his last days before boarding the ark.

Noah, the man who trusted God.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

The Weapons of Faith

Changing society.

Two questions:

Do we become heavily involved in politics and political action; is this the war we fight?
Do we become heavily involved in true Christianity?

How much we get involved in political activity is up to you, but please consider: if you plan to change society, you can force your way by power or manipulation or there can be a heart change to do what is right.

What is right?

The Ten Commandments.
Two aspects:
1. Love of God--obedience to Him is how we show love to Him ("if you love me, keep my commandments").
2. Love of others--showing compassion, gentleness, the Golden Rule to others.

Physical warfare we are familiar with, but spiritual warfare is what the Christian must be skillfully trained in.

Spiritual Warfare:

1. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having a readiness to punish all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

2. Ephesians 6:13-18 Therefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thus with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

3. Luke 18:1 And he spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

These are much different weapons.

1. Having a ready, correct answer. This is apologetics.

2. Truth. This is facts. The Bible is facts and have been proven to honest minds.

3. Righteousness. This is living according to God's rules.

4. The Gospel. This is the message that we have all broken the Ten Commandments, deserve punishment in hell, and by repentance and calling on the name of the Lord Jesus, trusting in Him alone; we can be forgiven, because Jesus Christ paid the penalty.

5. Faith. This is believing God. What He has given us in the Bible is true.

6. Salvation. This is a true rebirth according to the standards and definitions from the Bible.

7. The Bible. God's word to humanity.

8. Prayer. This is talking to God.

These weapons will accomplish more than any political solution.