Who Do You Believe? Series

WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?

"For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.' We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:16-21 NIV).

In April of 1990, Ted Turner, the founder of CNN was named Humanist of the Year at the American Humanist Association’s annual convention. He declared that the 10 Commandments were obsolete and since, as he said, no one was paying attention to them anyway, he wrote his own version called the “Ten Voluntary Initiatives.” Number 6 was “I promise to use as little toxic chemicals, pesticides and other poisons as possible” and number 3 was “I promise to have no more than two children, or no more than my nation suggests.” Which is interesting, since Mr. Turner has 5 children. But that’s okay because they are called the “Ten Voluntary…”

Turner told those attending the convention that they were “kindred souls,” because of their shared belief that the “promises of immortal salvation or fear of eternal damnation are both illusory and harmful.” (Irene Lacher, LA Times staff writer).

Well, my question to Mr. Turner and the Humanists would be, “Upon what objective reality do you base your belief that salvation and damnation are an illusion? And while we’re at it, do you realize the sheer audacity and massive ego it takes to suggest that your version of the 10 Commandments is better, more relevant and life-changing than God’s?!”

Can you imagine him standing at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10), and God saying, “Hey, I know you! You’re the one who thought he could improve on My words!”

Let’s see – Ted Turner or God? Who are you going to believe?

But that’s nothing new; people have been trying to change the Word of God and the God of the Word…since the beginning of time. After God told Adam and Eve that “…In the day that you eat from it you will surely die” (Gen. 2:17), Satan came along and completely reversed it with one word: “…You will not surely die” (Gen. 3:4).

It was in the 8th century BC that Isaiah said, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness” (Isa. 5:20). That’s what happens when people reject the moral absolutes of God’s revelation and substitute their opinion in its place.

As I was preparing for this week’s lesson, I came across a satirical poem called “Creed” written by an English music journalist and poet, Steve Turner. He hit the nail on the head as he describes what our society has come to believe. I’ve abbreviated it for the sake of time, but you’ll get the point:

We believe in Marxfreudanddarwin

We believe everything is OK

As long as you don’t hurt anyone

To the best of your definition of hurt,

And to the best of your knowledge.

We believe in sex before, during, and

After marriage.

We believe in the therapy of sin.

We believe that adultery is fun.

We believe that sodomy’s OK.

We believe that taboos are taboo.

We believe that everything’s getting better

Despite evidence to the contrary.

The evidence must be investigated

And you can prove anything with evidence.

We believe there’s something in horoscopes

UFO’s and bent spoons.

Jesus was a good man just like Buddha,

Mohammed, and ourselves.

He was a good moral teacher though we think

His good morals were bad.

We believe that all religions are basically the same-

At least the one that we read was.

They all believe in love and goodness.

They only differ on matters of creation,

Sin, heaven, hell, God and salvation…

We believe that man is essentially good.

It’s only his behavior that lets him down.

This is the fault of society.

Society is the fault of conditions.

Conditions are the fault of society.

We believe that each man must find the truth that

Is right for him.

Reality will adapt accordingly.

The universe will readjust.