WHATEVER BECAME OF SIN?

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Karl Menninger is known as the father of American psychiatry; founder the world famous Menninger Institute. Dr. Menninger was loved and respected by his students and colleagues; he died in 1990 at the age of 96. Interestingly, despite his fame, some turned against Menninger after the release of his 1973 best-selling book Whatever Became of Sin? To them the book repudiated their well-entrenched belief in the secular treatment of mental problems. Dr. Menninger’s book suggested an opposite position---that sin and immorality could be used to explain why some people suffer from depression, debilitating guilt and abject hopelessness.

Most psychiatrists and psychologists avoid using terms like sin, evil or immorality. And for good reason---many don’t believe in sin, evil or immorality. But Karl Menninger thought differently; he wrote extensively on the important role of parents in shaping the impressionable minds of their children; and that love was an essential element in good mental health. Disagreeing with Sigmund Freud’s godless philosophies, Dr. Menninger also came to accept the reality of sin (as outlined in the Bible) and the guilt it produces in the minds of people (Psalm 38:4).

Guilt is a powerful feeling; it is the Hebrew word asam pointing to the sense of indebtedness sin generates. Anthropologists tells us that even the most remote cultures practice some form of crude religion in which sin must be paid for (as in an animal sacrifice). And whereas most people hate the feeling of guilt (2 Corinthians 7:10), it is far worse to never feel guilt; because the presence of guilt is a sign your conscience is still operating within your spirit (Acts 24:25).

Whatever Became of Sin? was a controversial book that mirrors what the Bible repeatedly tells us---we are all sinners guilty before God (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10, 23). But the sin debt was paid when Jesus became the sacrifice for all (Hebrews 10:12). Don’t neglect sin in your life; take care of it often (1 John 1:8-10). Keep short accounts with the Lord. Whatever became of sin? It’s still here (unfortunately). Think about it.

ONCE AND FOR ALL

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Most of us have probably at one time or another watched a preview trailer of a movie or television show and then after watching the entire production realized it was all hype and little substance. Such was the case of the massively promoted 1988 heavyweight championship boxing match between Iron Mike Tyson (34-0) and Michael Spinks (31-0). For the fight Tyson was to receive $20 million dollars; Spinks, a paltry $13.5 million.

On July 27, 1988 the two heavyweights met in Atlantic City for what was advertised as the “Once and For All” fight. The bell rang and 91 seconds later it was over; only ten punches were landed (eight from Tyson; 2 from Spinks). Tyson knocked Spinks out in the first round. Ironically, the fight was the richest boxing event up to that time, grossing over $70 million dollars, but Michael Spinks never boxed again.

Of the twelve fundamental doctrines of the evangelical church, undoubtedly the most hated of the devil is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And for good reason---his fate (John 12:31-32) and the very foundation of Christianity itself rests on the validity of resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 13-17). The resurrection of Christ has been ridiculed, denied and reduced to a trivial fairytale by cynical skeptics and arrogant intellectuals, and yet the reality of the resurrection still stands.

The greatest conflict in the universe began on a Friday afternoon over 2,000 years ago. Jesus Christ, the Creator of the universe and Savior of the world willingly gave His life on the cross (John 10:17-18; 1 John 3:16). Satan controlled the crowds that condemned and crucified the Lord (Ephesians 6:12). He landed his best blow and really thought he had defeated Jesus (Genesis 3:15), and for three days he rejoiced. And then early on a Sunday morning, as the song goes, “Up from the grave He arose” (Luke 24:1-3). As victor in the conflict for the souls of man, Jesus raised His hands in triumph (Colossians 2:15). No hype, just sweet victory. Praise the Lord. Think about it. Happy Resurrection Day.

TRANSHUMANISM AND THE KENOSIS

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Much has been written and continues to be reported on the modern-day phenomenon called transhumanism. Transhumanism is a fairly new term, defined as the use of science and technology to overcome human limitations and improve the human condition. Interestingly, a recent tech article reported that mankind will soon be able to “overtake a mouse brain” (a comforting thought!), and that by the year 2025 all or part of our minds will be controlled by a computer.

Our need and desire to improve society and our individual lot in life is a laudable ambition, as well as a divine command---the Dominion Mandate was given to our first parents in the garden (Genesis 1:26-28). But it’s important to understand that invention and improvement can only go so far, mainly because of our own human limitations. God in His wisdom and mercy puts limits on us. Simply stated, there is knowledge our Creator doesn’t want us to have and places He doesn’t want us to go. Why? Because He’s God and we aren’t.

The Lord Jesus Christ is God (John 1:1; Colossians 1:15). He was born of a virgin into a world of sin and yet He was without sin (1 John 3:5). Kenosis is a theological word to describe how Jesus became man (Philippians 2:5-11); taken from the Greek verb “kenoo” in verse 7 meaning to empty. Jesus became all man, but never laid aside His divinity (Luke 22:70; John 10:30). He willingly laid down all vestiges of reputation to become our sacrifice.

God never changes (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), yet He is the ultimate change agent. He wants to transform our thinking (Romans 12:1-2), and one day He will change our sinful bodies into our immortal bodies in heaven (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). But none of this could ever happen had He never came to live with us. No one knows how far God will allow humanity to advance into areas outside our realm of understanding or control. But for us---Praise the Lord, He became like us in order for us to become like Him. Think about it. 

SCAPEGOAT THEORY

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

In 1925 a man wrote a terrible book that changed the world. The man was Adolf Hitler; the book was Mein Kampf (My Struggle). Hitler dictated his long rambling fifteen-chapter diatribe during his imprisonment for attempting to overthrow the German government. Interestingly, Hitler coined the German phrase Grob Luge (Big Lie) in his book. Grob Luge isn’t hard to understand---telling a lie so big it must be true (even though it isn’t). But today we focus our attention on another interesting detail about Hitler and his awful book---the Scapegoat Theory.

The Scapegoat Theory AKA Extreme Prejudice is a sociopathic term to describe an individual blaming another person or group for their anger, frustrations and failures. Prejudice is an ugly human condition as old as time, and scapegoating comes in many forms---racial, business, even religious. Because Hitler and the Nazis blamed the Jews for everything bad in the world it was easy for them to justify in their own minds slaughtering six million Jews. Mein Kampf is a literary example of this extreme prejudice.

Central to the Scapegoat Theory is the scapegoat, (“sent goat” in the Hebrew) which originates in the Old Testament; referenced in only one place--Leviticus 16, the scapegoat was part of the yearly Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Two goats were selected; one was killed as a sin offering. The priest placed his hands on the other goat, symbolically transferring the sins of the Jewish people to that goat. That goat was sent out to a place in the desert to wander aimlessly never to be sought or found.

Theologically the symbolism of the scapegoat can be seen in the fact that Christ took our sins, (1 Peter 2:24) casting them away never to be remembered again (Hebrews 8:12). Atonement was the prescribed means of dealing with sin until Jesus emerged on the scene (Hebrews 10:4). He is our ransom scapegoat (Mark 10:45); sent by the Father as our substitute (John 3:17). His death was not a lie, or a theory; but rather, the highest form of love (John 3:16). Think about it.

SEND YOUR MONEY TO THE LORD (BUT USE MY ADDRESS)

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

“Send your money to the Lord, but use my address” is a funny and slightly altered line. The line can be traced back to County Music legend Hank Williams Jr; however his version is slightly different than the tweaked version. Hank’s 1999 compilation album entitled The Complete Hank Williams Jr featured the song The American Dream in which he referred to money-begging television preachers, “They want you to send your money to the Lord but give you their address.” It’s a funny line no matter which version you prefer.

A few years before ole Hank gave us his memorable line was the true story of a well-known tele-evangelist who claimed that God had threatened to kill him if he failed to raise eight million dollars by his creditors’ “deadline” (no pun intended). The preacher’s 1987 plea to his many followers came as a result of a divine conversation with the Creator. Needless to say and much to the relief of the preacher, his life was spared when a dog-track owner in Florida sent a sizable contribution to fend off the creditor and to save the television preacher’s life.

Amid all the levity of this week’s lesson there is a cogent theological principle to be considered--How does God “speak” to us? Whereas some of us has undoubtedly heard someone say that the “Lord spoke” to them about something; we understand that the communication was not audible, but rather mental. God has spoken audibly; the Bible tells us of nine people who has heard His voice. But all that ended when the Bible was completed (Revelation 22:21).

God does communicate with us (John 10:4, 16, 27), but today it is through His Word (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16). Interestingly, the Bible instructs us to question any message we receive (even those we perceive to be of the Lord); AKA discernment (1 Thessalonians 5:21). God is the Author of all truth (John 14:6; 17:17); therefore when you get a “spiritual” message, put it to the Truth Test to fully understand where it’s coming from (1 John 4:1-3). Think about it.

THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL PERSON

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Despite all the heated pre and post-presidential election rhetoric, would it surprise you to learn that Donald Trump is not the most powerful person in America or even the world? In fact, the most powerful person in the world (humanly speaking) is not even a man---it’s a woman named Janet Yellen, the head of the Federal Reserve Bank in Washington. It is Yellen and her board of governors that controls all the money in America, which in turn affects the economies around the world. But consider Yellen’s powerful position in contrast with the world’s first woman.

In 1967 Drs. Vincent Sarich and Allan Wilson, research scientists at the University of California Berkeley discovered that genetically every human came from one mother. Their research led to them a genetic material in the human genome called Mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited from one woman and never changes. Ironically, the evolutionary scientists named her Eve. A January 1988 Newsweek magazine article entitled The Search For Adam and Eve confirmed Sarich and Wilson’s remarkable breakthrough.

Eve, the first woman and mother is specifically mentioned four times in the Bible (only twice in Genesis); conversely, her husband is mentioned twenty-nine times by name in the scriptures. Eve’s name in the original Hebrew is Chavvah which means life-giver (Genesis 3:20). We do not know how many children Adam and Eve had (Genesis 5:4), however, Josephus, the ancient Jewish historian wrote that Eve bore 56 children (33 sons and 23 daughters).

God created Eve from the genetic material in Adam’s side (Genesis 2:21-22). His purpose for Eve as Adam’s “help meet” is often misunderstood. Theologically, the Hebrew words for help meet point to God’s original intent; the word help is neged means corresponding to or equal with; meet is ezer meaning powerful enabler. Women may not be as physically strong as men (1 Peter 3:7), but they can be (and sometimes are) smarter, more influential and more powerful than men. Seventy percent of Americans polled do not know who Janet Yellen is. Hopefully more Christians know who their ancient mother was. Think about it.

THE BENEFITS OF UNION MEMBERSHIP

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Not far from the modern town of Selcuk, Turkey is the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus. Government statistics report that Selcuk is Turkey’s most visited Christian tourist destination, and for good reason---Ephesus is a familiar name in the New Testament, specifically mentioned seventeen times. The Book of Ephesians is the Apostle Paul’s letter to the believers in this ancient city, written from his Roman prison cell some thirty years after the death of Christ.

Central to everyday life in ancient Ephesus was the Temple of Artemas, AKA the Temple of Diana (Acts 19:24, 27); one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built upon a two-acre platform, the Temple of Diana was the largest Greek worship center, larger even than their famous Acropolis in Athens. As the center of religion, finance and culture in Ephesus; the temple was the city’s bank and source of a thriving industry of idol production and sale. So great was the power of idol worship that a labor union of idol producers rioted because so many Ephesians were converting to Christianity (Acts 19:23-41).

The Bible speaks of a union that every born-again believer belongs to, however this union does not involve labor, because salvation cannot be acquired through any kind of work (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). This eternal connection, referred to 170 times as being “in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:3-4) is facilitated through the life and death of the Savior (Galatians 2:20). Simply stated, Jesus’ life actually flows into our “inner man” by renewing our inner nature (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Theologically, this spiritual union is mysterious in nature (Colossians 1:26-27) and activated by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13). We have peace (Philippians 4:7) and providence through our “in Christ” union relationship (Philippians 4:19). Everything we have or need in the Christian life comes through our union membership with Him. Although sadly there are disputes and disagreements between churches and believers over superficial issues, all true believers are brothers and sisters in a union that cannot be dissolved. Talk about union benefits. Wow! Think about it.

THE SCRIPTURES ALONE

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

We have not always had the Bible we enjoy today. For over half of the 2,000+ years of church history there was no Bible readily available to the common man outside of a small number held by scholars and the church hierarchy. The King James Version is the greatest and most widely accepted English translation of the Bible. The KJV we have today (the 1769 Cambridge Edition) is the seventh edition of the ninth translation of the scriptures. And statistics indicate the KJV is read five times more than the modern New International Version.

In 1604 King James I appointed a translation committee consisting of fifty-four of the most brilliant minds of the time. Their work; named after their king was published in 1611. Interestingly, ninety percent of the KJV came from prior versions, namely the Tyndale, Coverdale and Geneva Bibles. But it is the relationship between the Geneva and the King James Version that has an interesting and ironic twist.

King James hated the Geneva Bible and specifically instructed his translators to avoid using the Geneva as a source document unless absolutely necessary. James’ contempt for the Geneva Bible was that it included two commentary notes supporting resistance to corrupt authorities (Exodus 1:9; 2 Chronicles 15:16). Needless to say, the translation committee ignored the king and used more of the Geneva than any other source. The narcissistic king could not stand any one (or thing) challenging the authority of his position.

There has always been a conflict between man’s arrogance and God’s authority. Jesus’ authority as the Son of God was challenged during His earthly ministry (Mark 11:27-33). God’s Word is the perfect reflection of His mind (Philippians 2:5), and is authoritative whether it is believed or obeyed (Exodus 7:1-4; Revelation 22:18-19). The authority of the Bible is tied to its inspiration and sufficiency; the Sola Scriptura, Latin for “the Scriptures Alone.” Earthly rulers and potentates may use their given authority to promote themselves and silence their enemies, but it is God and His holy Word that stands above all (Matthew 5:18). Sola Scriptura---the Scriptures Alone. Think about it.

HE IS STILL BRUCE TO GOD

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

This week’s blog article could go several different directions, but I’ll stick with my original thoughts. What was first reported as checkout counter tabloid fodder was actually true---that Bruce Jenner was “transitioning” into what we now know as Caitlyn Jenner. Gender reassignment AKA a sex change operation is hardly new, but because of Jenner’s notoriety, his change has made him the most openly transgender in the world. It still seems amazing that acts of perversion as reported in the National Inquirer (and other tabloids) are so fascinating to so many.

We all know the facts---former Olympic gold-medal winning he-man Bruce Jenner is now 67-year old medically-manipulated female Caitlyn Marie Jenner. Transgenderism has become a hot-button topic spawning even more perversion. What began in the 1979 as the LGBT movement, has now morphed into something identified as LGBTQ (Q standing for Questioning). It’s gotten so bad that some don’t even know which restroom to use!

Secular scientists in the field of gender and genetics say there are presently 89 different genders. That’s far more than what the Expert in gender and genetics tells us; the Creator Himself says there are two, and only two genders, male and female (Genesis 1:27; 5:2). In generations past any act to override one’s birth gender was considered an act of abhorrent sacrilege against the laws of God and nature itself. However, it is interesting to note that gender cannot be changed behaviorally, verbally or genetically (Jeremiah 13:23). The DNA embedded in Caitlyn Jenner’s body is male, not female.

But there is an important point overlooked in this controversial issue. The names of every person ever born are recorded in the Book of Life. The New Testament refers to this book eight times (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 17:8). Theologically, there are actually two Books of Life; the Lamb’s Book of Life records the name of all those who have been genuinely born again (Revelation 13:8; 21:27). It is the name William Bruce Jenner and not Caitlyn Marie Jenner that is recorded in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:12). He’s still Bruce to God. Think about it.

THE INVISIBLE HAND OF GRACE

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

There was a foreign news item that appeared several years ago that hardly caused a blip in the international press. In January 2011 the Iranian government removed all road and informational signs to the ancient tombs of Esther and Mordecai, officially downgrading them as an official Christian pilgrimage site. This action was in response to radical Muslim protesters threatening to destroy the tombs. Esther and Mordecai were Jews serving in the fifth century BC Persian royal court (Esther 10:32; 11:3) and buried in the Iranian city of Hamadan.

Grace is a common word in the Christian faith; we read about and sing songs about grace. But as common as the concept of grace is (Ephesians 2:5, 8), there are as many misconceptions. One such misunderstanding is that grace is an exclusively New Testament doctrine. Granted, the theology of grace is epitomized in the life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 13:14) and outlined in the acronym GRACE – God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. But grace does appear in the Old Testament (Genesis 6:8).

The Hebrew words for grace are hanan and hen. Hanan is a verb defined as actively giving and receiving favor (Genesis 39:21; Exodus 33:12); hen is a noun used 67 times and defined as a movement toward a positive end (Jeremiah 29:11). In the Jewish mindset hanan has to do with what we do for others; hen has everything to do with the providence of God to us, as in the unfolding of God’s Will for us.

We can see how this movement of grace works in the story of Esther; here the noun hen is used three times (Esther 2:15, 17; 5:2). It was God’s invisible hand that prompted Esther to find grace (hen) in the eyes of King Ahasuerus, so that God could ultimately deliver His people from destruction through Queen Esther. Simply stated, God uses grace to put the right person in the right place at the right time. The person or situation that led to grace coming into your life was His hen, His movement toward a positive end. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound! Think about it.

IF JESUS HAS RETURNED, WHERE IS HE?

  By Dr. M. R. Dowler

                                                                                     

There is a building on the busy Misgar Ladach Street in Jerusalem that houses the research offices and museum of the Temple Institute. The Temple Institute is within sight of the Jews’ most sacred place in Jerusalem---the Western Wall AKA the Wailing Wall, or simply HaKotel (The Wall). Founded in 1987, the institute’s task is three-fold---1) to educate the public about their temples, 2) to encourage the Jewish people about the need for another temple, and 3) to prepare for the new temple.

Central to the work and worship in the ancient Jewish tabernacle and temple was the High Priest and the attending priests. The Bible meticulously details every aspect of work in the temple---even the attire of the priests (Exodus 28). All of that ended in 70 AD when the Romans destroyed the temple. The structure, then named Herod’s Temple was so thoroughly destroyed that the only thing remaining was the western wall (Luke 21:5-6).

The Temple Institute believes the time has come for a new Jewish temple, as well as the return of their Messiah. Over the past few years they have prepared all the priestly garments to be worn, made all the worship instruments required and trained many of the new priests. Also, in 2004 the Sanhedrin was reorganized and a new High Priest was selected. According to the institute’s director, all that is preventing the start of temple construction is the return of their Messiah. Unfortunately, the next messiah to appear in Israel will be a false one. We know him as the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Preterism is a strange false doctrine, introduced in 1614, and making a comeback in churches and colleges. The word Preterism is derived from the Latin word preter meaning past. Preterism teaches that all Bible prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD; including the rapture and Second Coming. Of course, we know that didn’t happen. Theologically, Jesus cannot return until a new temple is functioning in Jerusalem (Revelation 11:1-2). Simply stated, the fact that you and I are still here is proof that Jesus physically isn’t, yet (2 Thessalonians 4:14-18; Revelation 19:11-16). Think about it.

CHILDREN BELIEVE IN GOD

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Say the words “Four Horsemen” to a Christian and they will probably think of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Revelation chapter 6. But there is another “Four Horsemen” some in the Christian realm may be unfamiliar with, but well known in the world of secular academia. In 2008 the world’s four top atheists sat down to discuss their non-belief in God. That discussion panel, named The Four Horsemen of Atheism consisted of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and the late Christopher Hitchens, author of 2006 bestseller God Is Not Great; How Religion Poisons Everything, who died in 2011.

Of these four evolutionary atheists it is Oxford University professor Richard Dawkins that is the most outspoken on the subject of atheism, parents and children. Dr. Dawkins is a vocal advocate of prosecuting parents for taking their children to church or teaching them about God, alleging that parents who do so are guilty of child abuse. Ironically, Dawkins’ radical view flies in the face of studies conducted at England’s two most prestigious universities, Cambridge and his own Oxford University.

Recent academic and scientific research testifies of something most of us has known for years--that children have an instinctual belief in God (Ecclesiastes 3:11). In an extensive study of young people in twenty countries, scientists have concluded that children’s thoughts are rooted in simple religious and moral concepts (right vs wrong). Dr. Justin Barrett, senior researcher stated that children as young as four understand a rudimentary belief in God even when no religious or spiritual teachings are present.

People are not born atheists; it is a learned belief (Psalm 14:1). Theologically, there is a special place in our being reserved exclusively for our Creator; a God-shaped vacuum (Romans 1:19). Many attempt to fill this vacuum with the temporal things of the world. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can adequately fill that space, giving a person reason and purpose in life (Jeremiah 29:11). Jesus said we all must come to the Him with a simple child-like faith (Matthew 18:3). Children instinctively believe in God (Luke 18:16); too bad some forget Him when they grow up. Think about it.

GREEN-EYED MONSTER

  By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Words and phrases fascinate me. As a writer and researcher, the history of a word or expression can sometimes add an interesting element to a subject. There is an actual word for the study of words and their origins; it is called etymology. For example, most of us have heard of the “green-eyed monster” referring to feelings of intense jealousy. But can we take this expression literally? Does our eyes actually turn green (or greener) when overwhelmed with feelings of jealousy?

History tells us that the color green has long been associated with sickness, possibly because of the body’s tendency to take on a slight yellow-green paleness, and the greenness of unripe fruit causing stomach ailments. But the actual phrase “green-eyed” comes from two of Shakespeare’s plays, both referring to suspicious jealousy; The Merchant of Venice (1596) and Othello (1604). Othello, the Moor was specifically warned to beware of the “green-eyed monster of jealousy.”

Jealousy is an emotion (good or bad); the Bible speaks of the wide spectrum of God-created human emotions (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Interestingly, jealousy within the context of arrogant covetousness (“a proud look”) is one of the Seven Deadly Sins (Proverbs 6:16-19); and the scriptures also speaks of the natural emotion of jealousy within the bounds of matrimony (Song of Solomon 8:6). When the covenant of marriage is threatened by an actual (or perceived) third-party, feeling of intense jealousy are exercised (Proverbs 6:34).

Theologically, the Bible refers to God as a jealous God twenty-nine times; twenty-eight times in the Old Testament, and once in the New (1 Corinthians 10:22). The primary Hebrew word for jealous is qana meaning to be zealously possessive, and referring to His marriage relationship with Israel. God and Israel entered into a covenant “marriage” at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20; Deuteronomy 5:2-5). And whereas God deals with His own who are spiritually unfaithful to Him, it is to the world that the vicious anger of His jealousy emerges when they mess with His people, the Jews, His city, Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:2-3), and His engaged bride, the church (2 Corinthians 11:2). Praise the Lord; He is zealously protective of us. Think about it.

  FREE AT LAST

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Today is Martin Luther King Day, our national holiday to commemorate the birth of the great civil rights leader, born this day in 1929. Interestingly, Dr. King’s birth certificate records his name as Michael King Jr., named after his father, Michael King Sr., a fellow Baptist pastor. King Sr. changed his and his son’s name to Martin Luther King in 1934 in honor of the famous Protestant reformer Martin Luther.

The high mark of Martin Luther King’s work as a civil rights leader was his famous 1,667-word “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963. Over a quarter million people lined the Reflecting Pool to hear King’s moving oratory. Most of his speech was a compilation of previous speeches, however, when he came to the “I Have a Dream” section, King departed from his prepared text to improvise that words that have now become one of the greatest pieces of oratory of the twentieth century.

Much of the language of Dr. King’s famous speech has biblical themes; two verses are directly quoted (Amos 5:24; Isaiah 40:4-5), and two are indirectly alluded to (Psalm 30:5; Galatians 3:28). One of the speech’s most significant themes is the line “Free At Last.” Freedom and liberty are prominent theological themes in the scriptures. From the actual physical freedom of the Israelites from Egypt as recorded in Exodus to the spiritual freedom from sin, God has always desired His human creation to live in liberty (John 8:36).

The Book of Romans has been called the Magna Carta of Christianity because of its deep theological teachings; Paul’s epistle has much to say about sin and freedom. Consider the binding action of sin and iniquity (Romans 6:6; 7:23) and the freedom from that bondage by the vicarious death of Christ (Romans 6:17-22). But spiritual liberty has it responsibilities---as free, we are not allowed use our liberty to deceive or take advantage of others (1 Peter 2:16).  And so we, as blood-bought believers can repeat Martin Luther King’s iconic words from his most famous speech, “Free at last.” Think about it.

JIA JIA AND THE IMAGO DEI

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Jia Jia is a name most of us are probably not familiar with, but may soon hear more about. Jia Jia is the name of China’s first humanlike robot, recently introduced to the general public last week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. With beautiful black hair, bright brown eyes and dressed in traditional Oriental attire, Jia Jia looks and feels eerily real; she can converse with her human counterparts, answer questions and offer unsolicited compliments in her soft feminine voice. For some, Jia Jia’s humanlike facial gestures were a little unnerving.

Chen Xiaping, the cyborg creation team leader predicted that artificial intelligent robots like Jia Jia will be performing menial tasks in restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes within a decade. Interestingly, another company at the electronic show unveiled its lifelike Albert Einstein robot that engaged visitors in lessons in mathematics and physics in his programmed conversational Germanized-English voice reminiscent of the real Einstein.

Despite it’s dizzyingly rapid pace, the technology of robotics poses many ethical and theological questions. But at the heart of the issue is the biblical doctrine of the Imago Dei, Latin for “the Image of God” (Genesis 1:26-27). Although the scriptures never fully explain God’s image, it is this Imago Dei that separates humans from all of God’s creation. Mankind is the only creature that was created in God’s express image (Genesis 5:1; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Colossians 3:10; James 3:9). We are rational, relational, spiritual beings because of His divine spark within us.

Theologically, it is the image of God that gives man a degree of sovereignty over the earth (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 8:5-8). All human ethics are grounded in the Imago Dei, and we all retain a portion of the image of our Creator despite it being severely distorted when sin entered the human realm (Romans 5:12). The dignity of mankind is demonstrated in God’s establishment of capital punishment for the murder of His human image (Genesis 9:5-6). Robots may eventually mop our floors or take our drive-through food orders, but they can never be human because they will never have that divine spark we call the Imago Dei. Think about it.

ANGER ISSUES

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

                                                                                             

There is a portion of land on the Atlantic coast of South West Africa, comprised of portions of the countries of Namibia and Angola, with a couple of rather ominous nicknames. In 1944 English author John Henry Marsh described this 6,200 square mile inhospitable area as The Skeleton Coast. But it was the eye-catching (but grossly inaccurate) name given by the local African tribes, The Land God Made in Anger that garners our focus on the issue of anger.

Anger is an emotion, good or bad. God created human emotions, and emotions, in and of themselves is not a bad thing. Wise King Solomon wrote of the reality and appropriate time for emotions, including anger (Ecclesiastes 3:4, 8). Physiologically, anger originates in the limbic system of the brain. Interestingly, the cerebral cortex is where cognitive thought originates; however, whenever anger is experienced or expressed, the cerebral portion is lessened or suspended. This explains why people in an uncontrollable rage do not have rational thoughts.

Theologically, God expresses anger at times. The eight nouns that describe His anger and wrath in the Old Testament are used 375 times. The most familiar Hebrew word for God’s wrath is chemah, used 85 times to describe God being hot with anger (Deuteronomy 29:23). Following closely to chemah is the Hebrew noun aph, describing God’s wrath as smoke coming from His nostrils (Psalm 18:7-8). The Book of Revelation vividly describes the fierceness of God’s anger being poured out on a world that hates Him (Revelation 14-19).

We all have anger issues from time to time (Ephesians 4:26). From the most-mellow of personalities to the most hostile of behaviors, we all need some sort of anger management (Ephesians 4:31-32; James 1:19-20). There is an old belief that when angry we should count to ten, but experts in physiology and mental health tell us it takes around twenty minutes for the brain to settle the emotions. As children of God, we can be assured of two things---1) God has complete control of His anger, and 2) He deals with His children out of grace and mercy and not anger (Psalm 145:8). Think about it.

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Christmas is over and we are in that awkward week at the end of the year between holidays. While some put a lot of emphasis on the welcoming of a new year, to most of us January 1^st is just another day. Some of us may even be asleep at midnight. Historically, January 1^st is the first day of the Gregorian calendar, adopted in 1582 as an adjustment of the Julian calendar. It was the Julian calendar that established the 365-day year we enjoy today.

In ancient days there was no uniform method of time record keeping. And whereas many ancient cultures kept their own crude calendars of their own history, it wasn’t until 46 BC that the first universally-accepted calendar was established by the Romans. But a problem emerged with this new world calendar---in an effort to catch up with their existing calendar ninety days were added to the year 46 BC. Ancient writings called 46 BC “the year of confusion.”

New Years is all about time. The Bible speaks much of time and space; we are spatially-bound creatures within the earth time He established (Genesis 1:14). God is Lord over time and time is the vessel through which He unveils His purposes and program for us and to us (Galatians 4:4; Romans 5:6). God created matter, space and time (Genesis 1:1) in three dimensions; past, present, and future; and He is present in all three (Hebrews 13:8).

Theologically, there are two attributes of God that speaks to our understanding of time. The immanence of God is that He is everywhere within human time (Psalm 139:1-10); the transcendence of God is that He is independent and outside of time (Isaiah 55:8-9). Interestingly, immanence is not to be confused with imminence, which deals with the timing of Christ’s return. 2016 has been a tough year and none of us knows what 2017 will bring. One thing we can be assured of—He is both present with us and above all. Out with the old, in with the new. Think about it. Happy New Year.

THE LOVE OF GIVING

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Percy Ross lived a colorful life. He died in 2001 at the age of 84, but his legacy long surpasses his lifespan. Percy Ross grew up poor, worked hard and by the age of 42 had gained and lost two fortunes. But he never considered himself a failure; in 1959 he purchased a bankrupt plastics business and by 1977 had revived the business to make himself a multi-millionaire. It was then that Ross embarked on his most fulfilling occupation---giving all his money away.

In 1983 Percy Ross began writing a weekly column that appeared in over 800 newspapers for sixteen years. That column, entitled Thanks a Million featured the many requests for assistance answered by this generous man. Ross and his staff received 10,000 letters a week from people asking for help. In Ross’ last column in 1999 he revealed that he had given away all his money---over $30 million dollars. He also thanked his readers for the happiness they brought by allowing him the joy of giving.

This week we celebrate the birth of the Baby of Bethlehem’s manger who gave up all vestiges of His heavenly royalty to come to this planet as a human for a brief period of time (Philippians 2:6-8). Theologian Millard Erickson wrote of this natal sacrifice, “The magnitude of what He gave up is beyond our power to even imagine, for we have never seen what heaven is like.” Jesus, the King of Kings became poor so that we could become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Percy Ross was a generous man, but not without his critics. Some believed he was merely showing off in an effort to gain heaven by his good works. Who knows? Only God knows his heart and the motives of his works (1 Corinthians 4:5). Interestingly, the Hebrew word for love and give is the same word. The most familiar verse in the Bible teaches us this wonderful theological truth----“For God so loved…He gave” (John 3:16). You can give without loving; but it is impossible to sincerely love without giving. He gave all because He loves all. Think about it. Merry Christmas.

THE GOOD LORD RIDE ALL THE WAY

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

We interrupt our study this month of the theology of Christmas with news of the passing of a true American hero, astronaut and former US Senator John Glenn. Glenn died on December 8^th at the age of 95, marking the end of the era of early manned spaceflight. In an age of rampant turmoil and cynicism, we pause briefly to salute the last of NASA’s original Mercury astronauts, brave men epitomized in Tom Wolfe’s 1979 literary account of them in The Right Stuff.

While countless articles over the past few days focus on Glenn’s career, including that famous quote “God Speed John Glenn” from capsule communicator (and fellow Mercury astronaut) Scott Carpenter, there was another quote just before Carpenter’s well-wishes that garners attention. NASA Flight Engineer Tom O’Malley was the one who literally pushed the button to lift Glenn into space. On the morning of February 20, 1962; as the countdown reached zero, O’Malley made the sign of the cross and spoke into his headset, “May the good Lord ride all the way.” And with that John Glenn rode into history.

One detail lost in many of the news reports was of John Glenn’s deep abiding faith in Jesus Christ. As a lifelong Presbyterian, Glenn delivered a sermon in his church shortly after his return to earth. His message, “Why I Know There Is a God” emphasized the vastness of the universe and the work of his Creator God, as well as details of his three-orbit space flight. Interestingly, Glenn added to his testimony years later after his return flight to space in 1998; stating that looking at the earth from outer space strengthened his faith in God.

John Glenn’s testimony corresponds with what the scriptures say about faith. It is only through faith that we can understand the creative work of God (Hebrews 11:3). Theologically, faith is an invisible substance demonstrated in the visible realm (Hebrews 11:1; Romans 1:20). This past Thursday a man of faith took his final flight as he passed the surly bonds of the heavens to ride into the presence of his Savior. The good Lord ride all the way John Glenn. Think about it. Merry Christmas.

JESUS, THE SON OF DAVID

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Genealogy is the tracing of family generational roots; a hobby enjoyed by millions worldwide. Experts in the field testify that genealogy got a big boost in popularity as the result of Alex Haley’s classic story of his family. Haley’s 1976 bestselling book, Roots: The Story of an American Family was made into a popular television miniseries of the same name a year later. The series was remade in 2016 to present the patriarch of Haley’s family as a Muslim. The television ratings of the remake’s first episode pale in comparison with the original---28.8 million views (1977); 5.3 million (2016).

There are twenty-four genealogies listed in the Bible. Family bloodlines were (and continue to be) very important to the Jewish people. Ancient Jewish non-biblical writings typically began with a family tree. Historically, the NT Sanhedrin was tasked with keeping Jewish family records. Tragically, all those ancient records were lost when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Jesus’ family tree is recorded twice in the scriptures (Matthew 1 and Luke 3). Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man; the genealogy lists seventy-four members tracing Jesus all the way back to the first man. Matthew, the Jewish tax collector presents Jesus as the King of the Jews. Matthew omits names from Christ’s forty-two name genealogy so as to arrange them in a fourteen name per three-stanza chronology (Matthew 1:1-17). Interestingly, the beginning of that genealogy lists Jesus as the son of Abraham and David. Joseph and Mary were both relatives of King David.

Jesus is called the “Son of David” sixteen times; and other than the Lord Himself, David is the most important man in the Bible, mentioned more than any other person---1,118 times. Consider the connection between Jesus, David and the number fourteen. The numerical value of the three Hebrew letters that make up David’s name, Dalet=4, Vav=6, Dalet=4, equals fourteen. Theologically, Jesus will one day sit on the King David’s regal throne (2 Samuel 7:24-25). Simply stated, the Baby born in a lowly stable will one day return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16). Think about it. Merry Christmas.