Roots by the River

There are at least two types of knowledge: 1. information, facts, truth, 2. personal experience of the facts. It is possible to know that Barack Obama is president of the United States without knowing Barack Obama. It is possible to know that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior without knowing Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior. Much of the world does not have either kind of knowing Jesus Christ. Much of the United States knows who He is but still doesn’t know Him. How can we correct this anomaly? It is by using the facts with love, kindness, and the Holy Spirit. We seem to be short of speaking the truth in love in the power of the Holy Spirit, in joy, in peace, in patience, in kindness and goodness. These are the things that will make people want to know Him, and not just know about Him.

Here are two definitions of words that are related. Agnostic: unknown or unknowable, 1870, from the Greek gnostos, known, one who holds the view that any ultimate reality (or God) is unknown and probably unknowable. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:20-21 Ignorant: destitute of knowledge or education, lacking knowledge or comprehension. Because he has chosen not to know the agnostic says it is not knowable in order to excuse his sin and ignorance. Now that he has chosen ignorance he is now incapable of knowing. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand ...

Here are a few home truths about atheists. Atheists for some reason become strident. If God does not exist there is no reason to become hysterical. However, if God does exist and you think He does not, then there is a good reason to become hysterical. Here are some expressions which describe such people: “Whistling in the dark” “Argument weak, shout here” Atheists find that they cannot stay off the subject of this non-existent being. Two famous examples in recent history of this are George Bernard Shaw and Bertrand Russell. Three contemporaries are Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens.

A few rational thoughts on atheists. There are three kinds of self proclaimed atheists: 1. The most common kind says, “I do not believe in God.” Notice the grammar. The “not” modifies “believe” not “God”. What he is really saying is: “There is a God in whom he does not believe.” 2. The second most common kind of atheist says, “I believe there is no God.” In this case the “no” modifies “God.” However the “atheist” says he believes there is no God. His basis is belief. His is a faith position. He is saying either that he has a positive faith in nothing or a positive belief in something . If it is nothing then he is a faith atheist. If it is something , the something is his god. 3. The rarest kind of atheist says, “There is no God.” He makes a dogmatic statement as if he was declaring a fact. His is not a faith position. It is a factual position, not a theoretical position. However, when he makes a factual statement the burden of proof rests on him. A believer has no bu...

A few biblical pronouncements on atheists. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. Psalm 53:1 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools Romans 1:19-22 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowle...

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 14:11 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:14 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. Daniel 5:20 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. Ezekiel 28:17 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and ...