Beliefs Have Consequences

Beliefs Have Consequences Mass Suicide of “Heaven’s Gate” cult Prophets of Baal self-mutilation Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego

Beliefs Have Consequences What we believe leads to how we act & the results, Mk. 7:21-23 Moral behavior Language Worship Baptism

Beliefs Have Consequences Two Major Belief Systems Beliefs Have Consequences Which Is Right?

Beliefs Have Consequences Two Major Belief Systems #1 Judeo-Christian Founding moral code of USA God is Creator, Gen. 1:1 Man made in God’s image, Gen. 1:26, 27 God’s will in the Bible, 2 Pt. 1:20, 21 Man judged by Bible, Jn. 12:48, 2 Cor. 5:10 Eternity in heaven or hell, Rom. 2:5-10

Beliefs Have Consequences Two Major Belief Systems #2 Secular-Humanism Significant gains in 1960s

Beliefs Have Consequences Two Major Belief Systems #2 Secular-Humanism No God “As non-theists, we begin with humans not God, nature not deity” - Humanist Manifesto II Romans 1:20-23

Beliefs Have Consequences Two Major Belief Systems #2 Secular-Humanism Universe is an accident “Our universe is simply one of those things which happens from time to time” E.P. Tryon quoted in - The Case For The Existence of God Hebrews 3:4

Beliefs Have Consequences Two Major Belief Systems #2 Secular-Humanism Man is a random development “Humanism believes that man is part of nature and that he has emerged as the result of a continuous process” - Humanist Manifesto I James 3:9

Beliefs Have Consequences Two Major Belief Systems #2 Secular-Humanism Ethics are self-derived “…moral values derive their source from human experience. Ethics is autonomous and situational…” - Humanist Manifesto II Proverbs 14:12

Beliefs Have Consequences Two Major Belief Systems #2 Secular-Humanism No life after death “There is no credible evidence that life survives the death of the body” - Humanist Manifesto II John 20:24-29

Beliefs Have Consequences Our view of life J-C: life is precious, Gen. 9:5, 6; Ex. 21:22-25 S-H: man like an animal “Involved in the right to birth control is the right to voluntary… abortion” - The Humanist, Jan/Feb 1976

Beliefs Have Consequences Our view of morals J-C: fornication, intoxication… sin, Gal. 5:19-21 S-H: fornication, intoxication… okay “express sexual desires… as they see fit” - The Humanist, Jan/Feb 1976

Beliefs Have Consequences Rights afforded to man J-C: rights granted by God, Acts 17:26-28 S-H: rights defined by man “As non-theists, we begin with humans not God” - Humanist Manifesto II

Beliefs Have Consequences Which Is Right? Is there a way to determine? Is one demonstrably superior? Can the two be combined?

Beliefs Have Consequences Which Is Right? Our position: Judeo-Christian system is right God is Creator, Gen. 1:1 Man made in God’s image, Gen. 1:26, 27 God’s will in the Bible, 2 Pt. 1:20, 21 Man judged by Bible, Jn. 12:48, 2 Cor. 5:10 Eternity in heaven or hell, Rom. 2:5-10

Beliefs Have Consequences Mass Suicide of “Heaven’s Gate” cult Prophets of Baal self-mutilation Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego