Category: Theology
Are Atheists Right? Is It God’s Fault the World is a Terrible Place?
Posted on February 10, 2015 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
I’m fascinated by atheists. How can I not be fascinated by someone who spends a great deal of effort and energy refuting someone they don’t believe exists?
It would be as if I said “this chair I’m sitting in does not exist,” and then spent the next 2 hours lecturing you about why doesn’t exist, the silliness of believing it does exist, and all the whole pointing to the chair that I don’t believe exists. And yet this is, in my opinion, what many – if not all – atheists do.
Some of the world’s most brilliants atheists are also some of the most educated theologians. Though they seek to discredit the Bible and theology and prove that God doesn’t exist, they certainly know a lot. I can think of no other person that proves more clearly that knowledge does not equal wisdom or relationship than atheists.
The Largest Picture In Human History Shares a Powerful Message (VIDEO)
Posted on January 23, 2015 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
The largest picture ever taken has been released. It is an astounding 1.5 billion pixel image (69,536 x 22,230) requiring 4.3 GB of disk space. The picture just happens to be the Andromeda Galaxy!
The image was released on January 5 by NASA of our closest neighboring galaxy: Andromeda. The image was comprised of 411 Hubble Space Telescope images spanning an incredible 100 million stars and covering more than 40,000 light years. And that is just one section of the image!
See the amazing video and image below.
Former NFL Player Has Strong Words About Race Relations
Posted on January 21, 2015 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
The idea that people are treated differently because of the color of their skin is patently wrong; it’s unbiblical in every way. Any church claiming to be led by Jesus but refusing to accept people because of their skin is a fraud. There is nothing biblical or Christ-like about such a place.
I was impressed by an article I read recently in which former NFL player Derwin Gray – now a pastor – made a statement that every person of every skin tone claiming the name of Jesus needs to memorize. Gray was being interviewed by The Blaze about current race relations in light of the Michael Brown and Eric Garner events when he shared some much needed thoughts. Gray emphasized the fact that for Christians there is no such thing as “Jew” or “Gentile” because in Christ such barriers have been destroyed. He said:
One of the Earliest Transcripts of the Historical Christmas Story (Video)
Posted on December 25, 2014 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
If you’ve ever wondered what Christmas is all about. What the purpose of Christmas is. The “transcript” below of the first Christmas shares the inherent meaning that in inseparable from any Christmas celebration. Without the birth of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago there would be no Christmas. But because God came tow earth as a baby in order to die for the sins of mankind, we can celebrate. Not only can we celebrate today, but for those who have placed their faith in the saving, atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, we can celebrate every day.
The following passage, and video, share the events of the first Christmas. I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and honor the true meaning of this joyous day.
Luke 2:4-14 (ESV) – 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
What’s Christmas All About? Just Ask Linus!
Posted on December 24, 2014 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
This beloved family Christmas movie gets sweeter each year as I raise my own kids. One of the most cherished scenes from the movie is when Charlie Brown, exasperated by all the “commercialism” associated with Christmas, asks “isn’t there anyone that knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus gives Charlie Brown the answer is the scene below. Take a moment to watch, share it with your kids, and remember the true meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas!
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Amazing Video: The Piano Guys and David Archuleta Singing “Angels from the Realms of Glory”
Posted on December 24, 2014 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
As Christmas day is now just hours away I wanted to share this video of The Piano Guys doing their version of “Angels From the Realms of Glory” along with Peter Hollens and David Archuleta. This is a beautiful video that captures the meaning and purpose for Christmas. I hope that in the few hours left before Christmas you can take a moment or two to quietly reflect on the reason we celebrate Christmas and the inherent religious significance behind it. Without the historical act of Jesus being born in the manger more than 2000 years ago we would have nothing to base our celebration on. Many of the songs and traditional we hold so dear would not exist and others would simply be meaningless. But thanks to that one historical act we can celebrate joyfully each year as we remember the day that God came to earth as a baby.
Watch the video and let it remind you of what this very special day is all about. If the video doesn’t appear automatically, please refresh your browser.
Viral Video: Home Free Singing Their Version of a Christmas Classic
Posted on December 19, 2014 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
When rising a capella group Home Free wanted to record a video for their stirring rendition of “Angels We Have Heard on High,” they chose a church to do it. Considering the content of the song it seems a fitting backdrop. But the church takes second place to the group’s incredible vocal version of this beloved Christmas classic.
It won’t take long before the listener will understand why this video has gone mega viral in just a few shorts weeks (the video had over a million hits just two weeks after Thanksgiving). The five man group blends melodies and harmonies in what can only be described as a symphony of vocal music to create a beautiful rendition of this Christmas carol that is worth every second it takes to listen.
Songs like this are deeply embedded into our celebration of the Christmas holiday. They tell the story of what Christmas is truly all about. “Angels We Have Heard on High” tells about the angels that appeared in the skies to sing and announce the birth of Christ to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-14), and the shepherds going to see Jesus in the manger (Luke 2:15-20). It also tells of the little baby born to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The song makes this clear in the last verse: “See Him in a manger laid, Jesus Lord of heaven and earth; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, With us sing our Savior’s birth.”
We love these Christmas songs because in the chaos that can be Christmas they remind us of the true meaning of the season and why we can even celebrate. We are remembering the day Jesus was born as a baby for the purpose of dying on the cross for our sins. These songs ground us in the truth of what Christmas is supposed to be, a celebration of Jesus. And this video by Home Free is just another version of the song that will be enjoyed for generations to come and serve that purpose. Take a few moments to listen, it will be a highlight of your day.
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Should Christian Pastors and Leaders Refuse to Speak About Ferguson and New York?
Posted on December 17, 2014 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
I’ve watched with interest at the discussion surrounding the events in Ferguson, MO, and New York with regard to Eric Garner. They are very different events that each have the same outcome: loss of life.
What has interested me most is the response by evangelical leaders concerning the events. As a culture we have come to expect the most influential voices to speak when something gains national attention. Whether this is a good or bad thing is not my point here. But for an excellent perspective on this very topic you can read Voddie Baucham’s post “Thoughts On Ferguson.”
As typical, some leaders have spoken biblical truth into the events in Ferguson and New York and sought to shine a light on the Gospel by doing so. Others however, and these are the ones that most intrigue me, have remained silent.
I’ve even watched with curiosity as several leaders have declared that since they don’t know all the facts there is no need to speak and remaining silent is wiser. And a few have used the “I’m going to focus on the Gospel rather than these events” line.
But here’s my question, and where my curiosity naturally leads me: if Christians, especially influential Christian leaders refuse to speak biblical truth into these tumultuous situations – who’s left speaking?
The conclusion I have come to is…
If A “Gay Gene” Is Found Should Christians Accept Homosexuality?
Posted on December 16, 2014 in Sexuality, Theology by Nathan Cherry
Some might view such a discovery as dangerous to the biblical understanding of sexuality. I don’t necessarily agree because as it stands, without the support of research, the biblical understanding of sexuality is being relentlessly attacked. Though no such “gay gene” has been located and every attempt has failed, those certain that they were “born that way” champion their cause against any attempt to use the Bible to say otherwise. They are, in essence, distorting the biblical understanding of sexuality as we speak and twisting Scripture to fit their agenda.
Furthermore, the discovery of a “gay gene” would in no way remove or alter the biblical understanding of sexuality that is clearly taught from beginning to end. Homosexuality would no more be legitimate or un-sinful if there was a “gay gene” than it is right now. Just as alcoholism, adultery, theft, lying, or bestiality would be legitimate and biblically lawful with the discovery of their respective gene. Christians would still not be able to approve of what the Bible clearly calls sin just because a gene was found that supposedly predisposes people toward homosexuality. Sin is sin.
From One Heresy to the Next – Gnosticism, Pelagianism, and the New Sexuality Threaten the Church
Posted on November 26, 2014 in Sexuality, Theology by Nathan Cherry
The church of Jesus Christ has endured a host of theological debates and controversies over the centuries. One need only to look back in time to the debate over Gnosticism, or review the debate surrounding Pelagianism (to name just two) to see the scope of theological discussion the church has underwent.
While these heresies attempt to make a comeback once in a while – Gnosticism resembles new age teaching while Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism seem to always be lurking in the shadows of church history – the latest heresy to infiltrate the church is no less destructive.
The heresy of sexuality is causing just as great a disturbance in the church as any other throughout history. Denominations are dividing, churches are splitting, lines are being drawn and some are choosing to sit in silence. This new heresy is no less a doctrinal, theological, and moral issue than Gnosticism and Pelagianism.
Efforts to push a new sexuality complete with a new definition of family and marriage want to make sexuality about personal choice, identity, preference, or any other non-biological factor. The reality remains that gender and sexuality is an inherently biological factor determined at birth by no effort of the individual. For those that don’t believe the Bible this is can be a hard truth to handle. It leads to questions of “why am I attracted to the same-sex if it is wrong, or against nature?” Such questions are valid and not to be taken lightly.