WORDS AND MUSIC

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

February 23^rd is the anniversary of two significant events in Christian history---the printing of the first Bible by Johannes Gutenberg on his newly-invented movable type press in 1455, and the birthday of George Frederick Handel, composer of one of the most beautiful pieces of praise music, the oratorio Messiah (1685). The majestic Hallelujah Chorus is part of Handel’s Messiah.

Gutenberg’s press was one of the greatest inventions of all time because it revolutionized printing, reading and literacy. Today only twenty-two complete Gutenberg Bibles remain; one Gutenberg Bible is housed in the New York Public Library. Interestingly, this first Bible to be printed on a press has now become part of our modern culture. In the closing scenes of the 2004 science fiction movie The Day After Tomorrow, one of the char-acters (ironically, an cynical atheist) is seen carrying the Gutenberg Bible out of the New York Library to preserve it from the devastating environmental crisis.

From the Garden of Eden to the present day, God has always desired to communicate with His human creation. Despite what some glitzy television preachers may say, God no longer speaks audibly through His prophets and apostles (Hebrews 11:1). After Reve-lation 22:21, our Creator now speaks exclusively through His written Word. Theologically, this divine communication is conveyed through three direct methods: revelation, inspi-ration and illumination.

Simply stated, revelation is defined as a message from God to man (man hears what God wants written). Inspiration is the process from man to paper (man writes what God wants written). Illumination is from paper to the human heart (man receives the spiritual truth which God has written through man). So when you’re reading the Bible this week, thank God and Mr Gutenberg. And if you have never heard Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, check it out. You’ll be blessed. Think about it. 

IT ALL BEGINS IN THE HEART

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Today is Valentine’s Day, a holiday that has been associated with love and romance for over 600 years. According to the most recent statistics, before the end of this day over 180 million cards will have been exchanged and nearly 200 million roses will have been given. Women, by average buy more Valentine cards (85%), while more men purchase candy and roses (73%). And here’s another interesting statistic---an average of 11,000 children will be conceived today.

The heart is at the very center of Valentine’s Day. The heart also plays a prominent place in the scriptures; the word heart is mentioned 830 times (KJV). Physiologically, the heart is that blood-pumping organ in our chest, which will beat over two billion times in an average lifetime. However, biblically, the heart takes on a totally different role. It is the seat of human emotion, intellect, morality and sin.

We are all familiar with the “Which came first, the chicken or the egg” question. But here’s an old theological question to ponder---“Are we sinners because we sin?” or “Do we sin because we are sinners?” There is a vast difference between the two questions. And the answers to these questions all begin with the heart.

Theologically, we sin because we are sinners. We do not begin life pure (Proverbs 20:9); because of Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12, 15), we are born with a sin nature (Psalm 51:5; 53:3), therefore, the act of sin is merely a manifestation of our fallen nature. Sin begins in our heart (Mark 7:20-23), and it is in the heart God examines the motives of our actions (Jeremiah 17:10). So enjoy the day that’s all about the heart, but remember, God is more interested in our hearts than we ever can be. Think about it. Happy Valentine’s Day.

STAR WARS AND THE DOME OF THE ROCK

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

I have visited the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem twice. However my most recent visit has been the most interesting. Prior to visiting the holy site that day I had made a few purchases of non-religious souvenirs for family and friends in the Jerusalem markets. But much to my surprise, one particular souvenir proved a bit problematic; a t-shirt for my son-in-law with the words Star Wars printed in Hebrew.

Security has been tight for tourists of the Temple Mount since the recent September 2015 Muslim uprisings. The guard searching my bag would not let me pass because of the Hebrew writing on the movie logo t-shirt. The situation was quickly rectified by allowing me to store the “questionable” item at a designated place. Although a bit embarrassed by the special attention over some personal items, I came to understand the sensitive nature of the Temple Mount. I passed through security with my other souvenirs (which did pass inspection) and toured the site of the former ancient Solomon and Herod’s Temples without further incident.

Refecting on my embarrassing conundrum two prophetic scriptures came to mind---the reference to “the time of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24) and “the fullness of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:25). Theologically, they are not the same. The “time of the Gentiles” referred to by our Lord is that period of time in which Jerusalem would be under Gentile authority. The 1,300-year-old Muslim Dome of the Rock is evidence that this eschatalogical “time of the Gentiles” is still in effect. But we may be getting close to a change in ownership.

Simply stated, the “fullness of the Gentiles” is the number of people who will become born-again believers during the Church Age. When that number (known only by God) is reached, Jesus will return in the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18) to bring His church home to heaven. So, as long as sinners continue to accept Jesus as personal Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9); and the Temple Mount remains under Gentile control, both the “times of the Gentiles” and the “fullness of the Gentiles” remain in effect. Commenting about the recent Muslim uprisings, Chief Rabbi Chaim Richman said, “They scream when we [the Jews] ascend the Mount because they know the Master of the house is coming home!” Think about it. 

CAN GOD BE STUDIED?

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

In 1939 the life of a five-year old boy was forever altered when his parents took him to the NewYork World’s Fair. Writing years later, he said he was mesmerized by the America of Tomorrow exhibit. That boy was named Carl Sagan who grew up to become a world renown astronomer, astrophysicist, author and noted critic of the Bible and Christianity. Most know Sagan from the PBS series Cosmos he hosted in the 1980s. Carl Sagan died in 1996 at age 62, but since then there has been a debate among friends and colleagues as to whether Sagan was an atheist or an agnostic. But recently discovered evidence points to Sagan’s admitted agnostism. Dr Sagan, the scientist admitted he simply did not know if there is a God because that it is impossible to study God.

Theology is basic to the Christian faith. For over 150 years theology has been called the “queen of the sciences.” And for good reason---it is the study (or science) of God and His relationship with His human creation. But in most areas of our modern culture theology is out of vogue, replaced with progressive psychology and humanistic evolution. But this doesn’t negate the importance of theology. God’s greatest passion is to be known and understood. Everything  emits from our Creator God, even our knowledge of Him. Simply stated, theology helps us to know God, not just about God.

So, who is God? What is He like? And how can God be defined? First, it is important to understand that God cannot be defined; He is above all human comprehension. After all, how can the finite define or explain the infinite? We can’t! So where do we start to learn about God? We must begin with faith (Hebrews 11:1). The writer of Hebrews said we “must believe He is” (Hebrews 11:6), or in other words, we must believe that God exists.

Theologically, God is self-existent (Exodus 3:13-14); not dependent upon anyone or anything for His thoughts or actions (Romans 11:33-34), His will (Romans 9:19; Ephesians 1:5); His power (Psalm 115:3); or His counsel (Psalm 33:10-11). God’s existence is an historical truth and an existential reality, both being objective and subjective, evident in the world and in the human heart, but only to those who will believe. There is no evidence that Carl Sagan believed before he died. Sadly, he could not reconcile his scientific worldview with a spiritual reality. Think about it.