Women’s Study – Genesis
Is Beauty Proof of God’s Existence?
Question of the Week: Is Beauty Evidence for God’s Existence?
When it comes to arguments for the existence of God, the ones you hear most often are things like the beginning of the Universe or the fine tuning of it to support life. However, research has been done and continues to be done into another aspect of Creation that requires there to be a Creator. If it can be established that beauty isn’t a subjective opinion, but as Plato described a foundational concept like Truth and Goodness, then it too can be used to give a reason for the hope that is in us regarding the reality of God. While it’s often easy to dismiss this with the slogan “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” the reality may be the opposite. In order to properly understand this argument, it is first important to give credit where it is due. The work of Alexander R. Pruss and Dr. Phillip Tallon have popularized and are working to perfect this argument. However, where it stands now is gaining more and more traction among the philosophically minded.
Claim #1: In order to make something beautiful; Skill, Talent, Effort, and Intent are required.
-No artist stumbles on a masterpiece. Function in of itself isn’t beautiful by definition. These characteristics (Skill, Talent, and Intent) are things that only exist in a conscious mind. If the Universe is beautiful, then that requires there to be a being with the Skill, Talent, and Effort required to make it so pleasing to the eye.
Claim #2: Man can see, appreciate, and create beautiful things.
-Man’s artistic endeavors have no evolutionary or survival-based benefit. It is something that is a part of our nature regardless of the fact that it can lead to significant personal risk or loss. That begs the question why something like appreciation for beauty became a part of our nature if it can’t be naturally explained.
Claim #3: Beauty is objective.
-Having an immature or under-developed perspective doesn’t make something less beautiful. You can have a majority of people with the opinion that 2+2=5 and the objective reality wouldn’t change. We may be able to perceive and appreciate certain aspects of beauty more than others, but it remains an objective part of something by definition.
Conclusion: Beauty, when properly understood and defined, demonstrates the existence of a personal, conscious, and creative Creator.
For more explanations on how this argument works, please listen to the explanations below:
A Reason For Hope is a ministry of Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson
Listen: Monday – Friday 5-6pm, on 106.3FM Reach Radio
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Can You Forgive Someone Without Telling Them?
Question of the Week: Can You Biblically Forgive Someone Without Telling Them or Seeing Them Again?
Christians take the matter of forgiveness seriously for good reason. Scripturally the topic of forgiving is modeled for us like everything else is.
Jesus forgave us when we we’re unforgivable. (Romans 5:6-11/Ephesians 2:1-5)
Jesus told us to seek out restoration with people who have anything against as a higher priority than offerings before God. (Matthew 5:23-24)
Jesus even stated that the forgiveness we will be shown is directly proportional to the forgiveness we show to others. (Matthew 6:14-15)
While these commands are fairly straight forward and model for us a perfect life lived out, it’s always easier to know the right thing to do until it’s our turn to live it out. Every Christian needs to learn and re-learn that apart from Jesus living out His nature through us, even the most fundamental act of righteousness is impossible.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
John 15:1-8 (NKJV)
God’s desire is for us to forgive like He has forgiven us. Making His desires our own is the emphasis Jesus is making that will naturally be given to us. The fruit He desires from our lives is to model His character. (Galatians 5:22-23) This is where the ability to forgive the way God has forgiven us comes from. If we can establish the source, then execution of something we have properly understood and received will just come naturally.
Now that we’ve properly understood where forgiveness comes from, the question remains what it is and how to make sure it’s done right. The biblical definition of forgiveness is;
“The alleviation of wrath towards actual wrongs.”
“bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
Colossians 3:13 (NKJV)
The first key to understanding biblical forgiveness, (apart from how it’s made possible for us in the first place) is that it’s something that takes place in our hearts before it manifests towards other people. This is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Romans 12:18-19 (NKJV)
To forgive in a biblical sense is to recognize and regard someone and their actions towards you in light of and through the finished work of Jesus Christ. This does not require you to ever see that person again. To reconcile is to meet with someone face to face and restore the relationship directly. That isn’t always possible, and therefore isn’t always commanded. Someone who has forgiven someone will always be willing to reconcile. Someone who isn’t willing to reconcile hasn’t yet forgiven them. Forgiveness from the heart of God is impossible without first receiving reconciliation with God.
A Reason For Hope is a ministry of Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson
Listen: Monday – Friday 5-6pm, on 106.3FM Reach Radio
Email your questions:
Follow on CCF Facebook: facebook.com/ccftucson
Watch our Frequently Asked Questions on YouTube.
The Book Of Revelation
Many Churches do not teach through the book of Revelation! It is hard to imagine that many have sat in Churches their entire lives and never have opened up this book of blessing once! This will be our 4th time going through the book at C.C.F. and we are so excited to study it together again. What are your thoughts on this book of blessings, images, symbols and judgements? We are wanting to hear your questions!
Do you have a thought or question on this book? Email us at questionsforhope@gmail.com
Will Some Christians Be Left Behind in the Rapture?
Question of the Week: Will Some Christians Be Left Behind in the Rapture?
The short answer to this question is no. Born-Again Christians by definition of what they are before God will not miss the Rapture. In order to understand this more completely, a distinction has to be made between a born-again Christian and someone attending church. Once we have properly identified what it means to be a Christian, anything apart from that will not benefit from what applies to them.
What is a Christian?
Christian is a term used to describe someone as a follower of Christ. The term originated in the city of Antioch and historically documented in Acts 11:26. Jesus described His followers as those who;
1. Believe in the One whom He (God) has sent. (John 6:28-29)
2. Do the Will of the Father. (Matthew 7:21)
3. Have been drawn by the Father. (John 6:44)
4. Believe in the Son. (John 3:18)
5. Believe and are Baptized. (Mark 16:16)
Hopefully you’re seeing a common theme. The fine line between someone who is and isn’t a Christian is where and when they have personally received a relationship with Christ through belief in His claims and what He’s done to verify them.
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 3:36 (NKJV)
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13 (NKJV)
What is a Church?
A church is a gathering of like-minded people. In the context of Christianity, it is referring to the gathering of those who share the same mindset and perspective about Jesus. In modern society, it has more commonly been associated with a building where these like-minded people gather. While this isn’t necessary wrong in so far as those with the same mind towards Jesus are the focus, the error is replacing the building with those in it. Jesus Himself clarified that where His followers gather is irrelevant. He would be present wherever His followers are gathered to fellowship with Him and each other.
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
Matthew 18:20 (NKJV)
This is where the distinction is made. Your presence in a building doesn’t result in you having eternal life. Having a relationship with Jesus through belief in who He is and what He did to prove it results in you having eternal life. This is what brings us to the question about the Rapture. Who benefits from it? Christians. Who doesn’t? Not Christians. The wrath of God remains on those who have not received His mercy. This includes those alive at the time where He comes to take His people from the wrath that will be poured out on the world during the Great Tribulation.
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 (NKJV)
Salvation and your qualification for the Rapture go hand in hand. If you understand what it means to be saved, then you won’t have to worry about being left behind.
A Reason For Hope is a ministry of Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson
Listen: Monday – Friday 5-6pm, on 106.3FM Reach Radio
Email your questions:
Follow on CCF Facebook: facebook.com/ccftucson
Watch our Frequently Asked Questions on YouTube.
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