If anything exists, God exists. Whether or not you choose to believe in the existence of God, is irrelevant, because even if you think things evolved, something started the process, and what created that? In other words, something existed in the beginning and whatever that is, must possess, within itself, the power of “being”, and whatever that is, is God. For example, the computer you’re using right now could not “be”, without a series of creations. If you trace those creations back, somewhere–way back at the beginning–something must have the power to exist without creation and this existence is the Almighty God.
Every attempt to disprove God’s existence has failed. In 1953, biochemist Stanley Miller conducted, what was hailed at the time as a landmark experiment, to determine if life could emerge from the nonliving chemicals he believed were present on primitive earth. Miller presumed, without any proof, primitive earth was comprised of hydrogen, methane and ammonia. Using these gases, Miller recreated primitive earth in Harold Urey’s laboratory at the University of Chicago. He heated water to fill the system with water vapor and repeatedly shot electric currents through it to simulate the effect of lightning. The results? Amino acids, the essential components of proteins (the building blocks of life) were formed within about a week. This was presented as conclusive proof that life could have emerged from nonliving chemicals, and gave a supercharge to the anti-God, evolutionist community. This created a euphoric sense of validation for the evolutionists of the time. There was a problem, however. It is now widely known that these three gases were not present on primitive earth and that results were essentially manufactured. Since 1980, NASA scientists have shown the early atmosphere contained water, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen, which will not yield the result of the Miller-Urey experiment. Miller knew, at the time, what response he would get by using these gases and, essentially, stacked the deck in his favor.
Well-known skeptic and agnostic Carl Sagan believed that, “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof”. If your faith in atheism is blind, how can you see the “extraordinary proof”? Christians believe the Bible to be the Word of God. They believe Jesus to be the Son of God, the prophesied Messiah from the Old Testament. These claims are pretty extraordinary and the “extraordinary proof” is out there, atheists and agnostics just blind themselves to it. So let’s look at just some of the “proof” God left for us.
Archaeologist Nelson Glueck said, “it may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm, in clear outline or exact detail, historical statements in the Bible”. A series of books written by many different authors, over hundreds of years, all fitting together… error free? I’d say that’s pretty extraordinary.
But how about Jesus as the Son of God? There are 333 Old Testament texts that deal with the prophesied Messiah, that contain 456 specific details about His life. That’s 456 specific ways to identify the coming Messiah. J. Barton Payne compiled a list of 191 Old Testament references that identify the anticipated Jewish Messiah and Savior. And Norman Geisler notes in the Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, “each one is literally fulfilled in the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus of Nazareth”. Geisler also points out that, “Even the most liberal critics admit that the prophetic books were dated at least 400 years before Christ and the Book of Daniel no later than 165 B.C.”. And for those skeptics who want to think that it could still be “chance”, Geisler gives another interesting little detail, “The probability of sixteen predictions being fulfilled in one man has been calculated at 1 in 1045. If we go to forty-eight predictions, the probability is 1 in 10157.” So, if the probability for 48 predictions are one chance in a 1 followed by 157 zeros, what is it for 191 predictions!? And 456 specific predictions!? To call this “extraordinary proof”, is a colossal understatement.
God has given us an staggering amount of evidence, pointing directly to His existence. He’s also offered us irrefutable proof that Jesus of Nazareth, was the anticipated Messiah. In spite of all the evidence, atheists believe categorically that God does not exist. In order for them to do this, they must have blind faith in atheism and, therefore illogical faith. I just don’t have that kind of faith. Christianity requires faith, but an honest look at the evidence leaves one logical option, that He is the ONE and ONLY God and that Jesus Christ is His only begotten Son! What is the good news for atheists? God has a history of making the blind see, when they allow Him.
The violent storm surrounding the economy, as shown in the Dow Jones industrial average has been raging, in spite of efforts taken by the government to make it calm.
As a result, people all over the world are getting increasingly more anxious with each passing day. We read things about the real estate market, which has exposed the complete lack of self-control on the part of borrowers and lenders. Then we learn about fiscally irresponsible companies like AIG — the world’s largest insurer — needing a government bailout, then spending recklessly on luxurious executive retreats.
All of this economic turmoil has left many Americans wondering who to trust. Who should we elect that will solve these problems, John McCain or Barack Obama? What should our congressional representatives do?
We all have opinions about that, but as Christians, our source is not found in the Executive, Judicial or Legislative branches of government. Their efforts are (obviously) powerless. The Bible tells us to be anxious for nothing1 and that God has not given us a spirit of fear2. So when you fear what tomorrow will bring, who are you following? The same God, that hung the world on nothing, who’s hand can calm the sea, no matter how raging the storm is, in control… and the best news is… His power is effortless!
Everyone should be responsible, do their homework on candidates and elect good leaders. But, we must also remind ourselves daily, that nobody is allowed a position of power, unless God allows them3. Therefore, we are to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood… but against the spiritual forces of wickedness and when you’ve done all that you can do, stand4. We all must act, but when we can do no more, we must walk daily with confidence in the Lord and his effortless power. Whenever we are worried, we all should ask ourselves, in whom are we placing our trust… who are we following? And if we follow Him and trust His plan, there is no need for worry, everything is under His command. Halleluja.
1. Philippians 4:6 | 2. 1 Timothy 1:7 | 3. Romans 13:1 | 4. Ephesians 6:12-15
I realized that this has nothing to do with t-shirts, but it is a business related issue and, more importantly, it is an ethical issue, and our ethical system is rooted in Judeo-Christian values… and for these executives at AIG to spend $440,000 for a week at a resort/spa, during a hard economic time, while your business is suffering, is not only stupid business, it’s outrageous! I am indignant that this comes on the heels of an $85 billion bailout with taxpayer dollars is completely outrageous!
I recently read a Gallup Research poll, on data collected prior to this past Easter, that found “79% of Americans currently identify themselves as Christian — either Protestant, Roman Catholic, or some other Christian religion”. With recent population figures topping 300 million people in America, that means there are roughly 237 million “Christians” in America.
How many of these Americans do you think have a drawer full t-shirts displaying various brand names or messages? I’d say it easily tops 90%, and if that’s right, we’re now talking about more than 214 million Americans, who both identify as Christians and wear t-shirts.
Even if you cut these figures in half — 118.5 million Christians in America, of which 45% wear t-shirts — that’s still 53.3 million people, which is more people than those who voted for either candidate in the 2000 presidential election!
So you can imagine my first thought when I read this. “Why don’t I see more theological (Christian-message) t-shirts when I’m out around town”? I’ve travelled from coast-to-coast, in large metropolitan cities and small towns, for several years now, yet it’s still a fairly rare occurrence when I see someone wearing a “Christian t-shirt”.
Are Christians not aware of a company that makes “theological message tees”? (we like to call them “theolotees”) Are the ones they’ve seen in a style that is out of date? Have they only found the shirts that lack style and/or a truly great message, like “I may not be perfect but Jesus thinks I am to die for“? Is it that these companies don’t have a million-dollar marketing budget, and therefore, are unable to reach this gigantic consumer block?
Someday, I will capture video of people’s reaction to our girls theolotee that says “A girl needs to be so lost in God, a guy needs to seek Him to find her” and post it. It’s been my experience that when Christians find really good t-shirts, they buy them and wear them, proudly. I hope that more people learn about our shirts and the bar is raised, so that I see more of them when I’m pumping gas, or at places like the grocery store, Home Depot, fast food joints. I’ve found that people’s attitude changes when they are wearing the name of Jesus on their chest.
Maybe if Christians wore these message tees more, and preached their message less, the ones they’re trying to reach would see the witness in them, rather than be forced to hear it from them?
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