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December 12, 2023

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Christmas, Jesus

Was Jesus born of a virgin?

In the early 1950’s controversy erupted around a newly released translation of the Bible. The Revised Standard Version of the Bible was published in 1952 as a revision to the American Standard Version. The RSV translated Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Imman′u-el.” Older Bible translations read, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive.” The choice of “young woman” in place of “virgin” caused many to accuse the RSV of attempting to undermine key Biblical doctrines.

The virgin birth of Jesus is a key point in the Biblical doctrine about Jesus. Jesus had to be born without a human father for Him to be able to be a sinless sacrifice for sin. Romans 5:12 suggests the sin nature is passed down to every person from their father. The Old Testament is clear that a sacrifice for sin had to be physically perfect to be accepted by God. For Jesus to be humanity’s sacrifice for sin He had to be perfect. He could not be perfect if He inherited a sin nature from a human father, therefore, Jesus had to be born without an earthly father. Jesus had to be born of a virgin.

This doctrine is more than a theological construct devised by Biblical scholars many centuries after Jesus lived. The gospels of Matthew and Luke teach the virgin birth. When the angel Gabriel told Mary she was going to have a son, Mary’s question was natural and to the point. She asked how she could have a child since she had never had sexual intercourse with any man. (Luke 1:34) Gabriel responded that the child would be produced in her by the creative power of God working in her womb. (Luke 1:35) The child of Mary would not be fathered naturally, but would be supernaturally conceived in her.

The gospel of Matthew is particularly careful to teach the virgin birth of Jesus. When Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy he assumed she has been unfaithful. While he was still trying to decide what to do an angel appeared to him. The angel told Joseph, “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20) Three times the gospel of Matthew says Joseph could not possibly have fathered Jesus. Mary became pregnant “before they came together” (Matthew 1:18). Joseph “did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn son” (Matthew 1:25).

Matthew’s most important declaration of Mary’s virginity is in verse 23. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us.” Matthew quoted Isaiah 7:14 to show the virgin birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus had to be born of a virgin to be the promised Messiah. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (Psalm 2:7). If Jesus is who Scriptures says He is- the promised Messiah of Israel, the Savior of men and the Son of God- then He had to be born of a virgin. The gospel accounts of Jesus birth are clear. Jesus was conceived in Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit apart from any human intervention. Jesus was born of a virgin.

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November 21, 2023

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God, Life Questions

Why can we be thankful?

In this time of worldwide turmoil some may wonder if there is any reason to be thankful. International turmoil, protests in American cities, political uncertainty and fears about global warming join with personal sorrows to make the world seem a dark and miserable place. Despite the incredible problems threatening the peace and stability of our world everyone has great cause for thankfulness. Despite personal tragedies a person may suffer everyone has an abundance of reasons to be thankful.

Everyone can, and should be, thankful because every good thing in life is a gift from Another. Thankfulness is necessary because the universe owes humanity nothing. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not owed to anyone of any nationality. Life itself is a gift and the continuance of life is the generosity of the Giver of life who sustains all things. (Colossians 1:17) Happiness and the things which bring it are gifts from the Source of all joy. (Psalm 43:4) The sun that fuels life and the rain that nourishes all creatures is the gift of God. (Matthew 5:45) The sun is God’s to do with as He pleases, yet He in His goodness chooses to send its rays across the entire world. (Psalm 19:4-6)

Psalm 104 teaches many reasons to give thanks to God every day. He is the Creator who formed the earth and rules continually over it for its protection. (Psalm 104:5-9) God sends the rivers and streams across the lands for the good of all the birds and beasts of the earth. (Psalm 104:10-12) God waters the earth with rains and satisfies it’s thirst. (Psalm 104:13) He causes all plant life to grow for the benefit of people. He gives daily bread and much, much more. He gives sweet fruit drinks to gladden hearts. He gives oils to refresh and cleanse. He gives bread to strengthen people’s hearts. (Psalm 104:14-14)

God plants the trees as a nesting place for the bird. He formed the hills and cliffs as homes for wild animals. (Psalm 104:16-18) God set the sun and the moon in the heavens to mark the seasons and days. He gives day and night for the good of all creation. (Psalm 104:19-23) All receive their food from the hand from God. “You open your hand, they are filled with good.” (Psalm 104:28)

Everyone has abundant cause for thankfulness. Even in tragedy and sorrow God’s good gifts are still evident. The food in the refrigerator, the sun in the sky, the birds in the trees and animals in the fields are all gifts from God. He sustains those gifts by His daily, gracious giving. Give thanks because all you have is from God. Give thanks because God has given you more than the basic necessities. Give thanks because God provides abundantly, sumptuously and generously for His creation. Though the curse of sin continues to be felt in every life, the gifts of God are greater. Thank Him for all He does.

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November 14, 2023

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Christianity, Church

Should Christians attend AI church services?

Increased reliance upon artificial intelligence has resulted in some churches offering AI generated church services which include digital avatars presenting an AI created message. While this is probably a gimmick and a fad that will not continue long, the fact that any church is willing to use artificial intelligence in this fashion reveals a deficient understanding of the nature of the church gathering. This deficiency is not surprising given the large number of Christians who consider watching church online to be a sufficient substitute for church attendance. Mega and multi-site churches have long been streaming the preferred preacher to various locations so each church can watch the sermon preached from the large screen display. Looking back, the jump from an online gathering and a digital pastor to an experience crafted by algorithms seems inevitable.

Church is not about an experience. Church is not primarily about being exposed to a certain body of content. Church is a gathering of Christians. (First Corinthians 11:18) If Christians do not come together, then there is no church. A church is a gathering of believers using their spiritual gifts together to promote Christian growth in all the believers in that body. (Ephesians 4:11-15) This kind of Holy Spirit dependent and Holy Spirit filled ministry cannot be achieved by any artificial or mechanical means. The church gathering is a time for Christians to sing together in a manner that teaches and admonishes one another. (Colossians 3:16) This requires people be present and engaged with each other. The gathering is a time to hear the reading, explanation and application of the Word of God (1 Timothy 4:13) from a Holy Spirit gifted and Holy Spirit filled preacher. (2 Timothy 1:6)

No computer is filled with the Holy Spirit. No computer program can have or will ever have the spiritual gifts of teaching, exhortation or encouragement. A well written computer program may be able to craft an impressive lesson which employs language and grammar far beyond the ability of the average preacher. However, spiritual change is never accomplished by the skill of an author or speaker. Spiritual change only occurs when the The Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the life of the person. The God appointed means for teaching the Word is a Spirit filled teacher. Can the Holy Spirit use an artificially generated sermon in someone’s life? Sure. He used a donkey to open the eyes of a false prophet, (Numbers 22:24-31) and He used a false prophet to proclaim great blessings on Israel. (Numbers 24)

God can use any means He chooses to accomplish His will, but Christians are obligated to purse the ordinary means God has given to the church for its growth. (First Corinthians 1:21) No one should not look to artificially generated fellowship, singing or preaching as the means for their Christian growth. God designed Christians to gather in person with other human beings, to hear a God appointed man preach the Word of God. Church is not entertainment. Church is not mere content. Church is not an experience. The church is a gathering of Christians for Christian fellowship. That cannot be duplicated by algorithms and avatars.