Irresistible Truth

Is Hinduism Older than Christianity?

2009-07-12T20:41:00.003-04:00

By Dave Sterrett

I just received an email from a reader of www.probe.org and thought I would start posting some of my responses. This is a quick email response and may contain some errors.

Here’s the Question I received from a listener of our ministry: Indian Hindu’s claim that Hinduism is the oldest religion, but Bible teaches us that God created all this in Jewish form, if so why those Vedas and upanishads say they are older than Bible?

My response: This question seems to be a complex question with multiple implications and I think we need to be careful to define some of our terms. First of all, even though God did create Adam and did have a special calling, promise and blessing on Abraham and his descendents, the Bible doesn’t say that “God created all this in Jewish form.” When God created Adam, Judaism was not necessarily in complete form yet, even though Judaism would descend from Adam and Abraham’s blood. Second, even amongst scholars of the writings of the Vedas, there is some dispute about when the actual writings of the Vedas were written. Some of them might date back to 1500 BC, but some Biblical scholars date the Exodus of the Hebrews around this time. Conservative Biblical scholars (and myself) hold that Moses was the primary author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible.) This would date the Pentateuch as being as old as some of the Vedas. But it is true that Christianity was started with Christ or technically after his resurrection. The New Testament was written in the first century. So, in one sense, one might claim that Hinduism, is older than “CHRISTianity” because it dates back before Christ. But if a Hindu apologist uses the phrase “Hinduism is Older than Christianity” kind of as a “Gotcha” statement trying to make something more credible because of it’s age, their implications include a couple fallacies. First, Hinduism has changed and added books with their Vedas over the years and it’s difficult to say all the Vedas are older than the Torah. Second, just because something is older doesn’t make something more true. This is the logical fallacy “Argumentum ab Annis” (argument because of Age) Just because a religion, a thousand years ago from a primitive group taught that child sacrifice was good to the gods, didn’t make their belief or their practice true or good. Even though one religious practice is older doesn’t make it necessarily better. However, God’s existence, his creation, the existence of Adam, and calling of Abraham existed in reality years before Moses documented in the Torah.

Perspective at 45 MPH

2009-07-12T20:04:00.009-04:00

By Jason Autry

A few months back, I was nearly involved in a car accident and it would have been my fault. I’m being serious. I was listening to talk radio on the way to Panera Bread for a cinnamon crunch bagel when the collision almost occurred. The reason for my near miss had to do with the particular topic of discussion sounding from my dashboard. The talk show host and her panel were discussing the virtue of thankfulness and what we, as a nation, have to be grateful for. Then, without fair warning for a defensive driver, they launched into a dialogue about the poet, Maya Angelou’s 2002 appearance on NBC’s Today Show with Ann Curie that was re-aired in a “Giving Thanks” segment that morning. Knowing the persistent themes of this show and its viewpoints, I braced myself for the coming hilarity and boy, I was not disappointed.

Angelou was supposed to be lending her insight and poetic language to some questions about humanity’s various dilemmas, but instead delivered a rambling stream of consciousness about hula dancing, ignorance in a bucket, and the conditions of colonial slave ships. To make matters worse, Curie was shamelessly over emoting and speaking in a soft voice as if she was conversing with the Dalai Lama in Starbucks. Audio clip after audio clip revealed more dribble from Angelou and solemnity from Curie. Inside the radio show's studio and my car, the laughter and incredulity was reaching a fever pitch until it culminated in the Granddaddy of all quotes. When asked by Curie what was the one lesson above all others that she wished to convey, Angelou replied, “Probably the most important lesson is to know that you have been loved. The truth is to exist at all, you have been loved (keep in mind that this is directly from the transcript - I am not making this up). Whether the ancestors came from Eastern Europe trying to escape the little and large murderers, or whether they came from Africa unwillingly lying spoon fashioned in the filthy hatches of slave ships, in each other’s excrement and urine, they have paid for each one of us. If you can just ingest that little piece of truth, not facts, facts can obscure the truth, but the truth. If you can ingest that, suddenly some part of you is liberated. I have been loved. That is one of the great lessons to me.” Huh? Is that it? This is the profound truth that is supposed to liberate the oppressed psyche of humankind and bring freedom to the soul? To ingest, as she says, the vile atrocities committed against individuals in past and present societies, is to know that I have been loved? After I laughed myself into a frenzy over the incoherent nature of these thoughts and the commentary coming from the panel, I regained control of my car and avoided a head-on crash with the coming traffic.

With analysis like this in the public discourse there is no wonder our world is drifting aimlessly in search of meaning. So-called experts and gurus are spoon feeding us these baseless philosophies and empty ideas about how one can gain clarity and redemption in this life and beyond. I can tell you that my mind, when pondering such questions, does not drift off to the horribleness that took place in the grottoes of slave ships nor does it conceive of the genocide carried out in the chambers of Auschwitz. When seeking spiritual purpose, my mind’s eye does not immediately retrieve shocking images from 9/11. I focus rather on something more eternal; more hopeful; like the words of 1 John chapter 4 verses 9-10: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins.” This is the most important lesson to grasp. This truth (and fact) must be ingested in order for real liberation to occur. The truth that Jesus, God’s Son, loved me before I was conceived in my mother’s womb and then because of that supernatural love, left the bliss of Heaven to live and die a violent, substitutionary death on the cross so that I can experience freedom in this life and then realize eternity in God’s presence. To reflect on what Martin Luther called "The Great Exchange" described in Matthew 27:45-50 as Christ became sin so that I may be made the righteousness of God in Him and nothing else in the annals of history, is to know I’ve been loved. To receive this measure of grace is the epic recognition. The Apostle Paul said it best in Romans 5:8, “God showed his own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!”

If one was to ask me if I am inspired by the travails, tragedies, and sufferings of those who persevered through unimaginable hardship in order to live a free and boundless life, my answer to them would be a resounding yes. I am equally inspired and humbled by those who were not fortunate enough to stand on the other side of their hardship, but left only an encouraging story to cling to. I also get emotional and my spirit is roused by mankind’s heroism, courage, selflessness and unabashed desire. However, none of them hold ultimate authority over the preservation of my eternal soul nor does their blood ensure my salvation. That curse; that duty; that honor of transcendence belongs solely to Jesus Christ and it is by his stripes that I am healed. It is by ingesting the magnitude of His sacrifice for me that I know I am loved. Unfortunately, that message will probably not be featured on the Today Show but it is the good news that a seeking world desperately needs to hear.

Magi Astrologers, Vedas, Sacred Scriptures

2009-07-07T19:51:00.003-04:00

By Dave Sterrett

I just received a question regarding Magi Astrology and its relation to the sacred Scriptures and I thought I would give a quick response.

Here’s the question: Since Vedas were written by Aryans and Aryans consisted of people from Iran too or former Persia and Magi were the astrologers from the royal court of the king of Persia. They were there to worship Lord Jesus on his birth. (Matt. 7) So the question is “Is Vedas influenced by the Word of God. Or Does Vedas points towards the Lord Jesus Christ”?

My Response: The answer is No. The Vedas do not point us to the Lord Jesus Christ. Something to consider. Isn’t it at least possible, that the Magi, who could have been highly educated and wide read, had either read the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) or other writings with quotations of Hebrew prophets like Daniel, Micah and other authors? Didn’t Persia take Babylon into captivity which previously had taken the Hebrews into captivity? Isn’t it at least possible to believe that astrologers from the royal court were well-read in religious literature from other countries and traditions (including possibly the Hebrew Scriptures which a copy could have been taken from Babylonians and then later passed onto the Persians.) No where do the Vedas make prophetic specific reference into the future, about the Lord Jesus Christ born in Bethlehem, of the line of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jesse, and David who would be crucified, buried and on the third day raised to life. If it did include such language, the reasons would be because the words were picked up from the Old Testament or oral traditions, not because of supernatural revelation to the Vedas.

Truth... It Is So Irresistible

2009-07-02T10:19:00.015-04:00

By Derek Murrell

What is irresistible truth and why is it so irresistible? The apex of our message, its ultimate purpose, is to communicate the truth which has been around throughout the ages. Currently, truth is nothing more than a convenient word used to describe some type of idealized concept relating to specific individuals or groups. To this notion we contend. We believe that truth starts with the saving power of Jesus Christ. This truth accepted or not becomes irresistible, as clearly seen through history. And the fact that most want to ascribe to some sort of truth only reinforces truth as an overarching concept and irresistible by nature. Even the ultimate question of whether God exists or not has been quite irresistible in as far as recorded history reveals. Many atheists, who by definition negate the existence of God, live wholly devoted to discussing this "God" who they conclude does not exist. Whether atheist, agnostic or the like, we desire to proclaim a reasoned message for our hope in Christ, a hope that is irresistible.

Much can be said of words akin to truth and reality through philosophical debate, but the ultimate source of truth is found through Jesus Christ. The good news of the Bible, more formally known as the Gospel message, begins with recognizing God as a just God, a God who must deal with the sin and failing of mankind. If he does not, how can God possibly be just? Only through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross can all of God's judgment be satisfied for the sin of humankind. In fact, Isaiah 53:10 tells is that it even pleased God to crush his son, Jesus Christ. Now, the question may be rendered, "Is not God a God of love?" Sure he is, but sometimes he must deal harshly in order to love. God must hate sin in order to love that which is good. In order for a holy and just God to love that which is good, our sins had to be dealt with, or better yet, crushed in order for the plan of reconciliation to be fulfilled. It is utterly impossible for human beings to acquire a relationship with a holy God without the perfect work of Jesus Christ's death on the cross over 2,000 years ago. Jesus, through his great love for man and hatred for sin, fulfilled his purpose by coming to earth and testifying to the truth (Matt. 18:37). It is this truth embodied in Jesus Christ that brings one to the knowledge, understanding and reality of sin against a holy and just God and it is this truth that will set one free. It is because of the truth of Jesus Christ and his atoning work on the cross that we make our stand and submit our message to the world.

At times, to even entertain such a foreign process, rigorous debate and dialogue from all fields of study are amassed at the dividing line of thought. Not everything will be understood by everyone and many will condemn the preceding position and our message without due process and thorough examination. This will not be a deterrent to our mission for the Bible says that at times it will be so. Furthermore, this message is so intrinsically important that we have devoted our lives to studying the Bible, philosophy, science and other disciplines that make up the 21st Century theater of debate. We realize that to not subject ourselves to such devotion would limit the scope of our own understanding and therefore be damaging to our propagation and to the integrity of the Gospel message that we so vigorously espouse.

It should also be understood that those who deny universal truth do so while acknowledging their own universal truth, as the notion of denial espouses a truth claim which underlies that assertion. With truth, what can we know? We can know that everyone can espouse a different truth as if only one can be inherently correct. But, without truth, what can we know? This, is the irresistible nature of truth, because without truth there would be no meaningful discussion. We invite anyone to journey with us as we pit the truth we hold, the message of the Gospel, against the worldviews of our age.

What Is The Irresistible Truth?

2009-07-01T16:24:00.008-04:00

By Jason Autry

They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
- Romans 1:18-20

It is hard to believe that a skeptic or someone who says God does not exist has truly investigated eternal truth from the Christian point of view and wholeheartedly rejected its meaning. It is more believable to say that if a person will honestly and sincerely assess the claims, evidences, and truths contained in the Bible, then they would most certainly embrace faith. What gives me the right to say that? What do I base this assumption on? Better yet, what makes God’s truth so irresistible?

The answer is provided in Romans 1:18-20. The Bible says that human beings “know the truth about God because he has made it obvious” from the beginning of time. He has presented his existence in such a way that it floods the psyche, overloads the senses, and permeates the mind. If one simply observes the earth and sky, they will have epistemic awareness of the Creator. The Scriptures assert that to be human and to be alive is to know the truth about God. And to know the truth about God is to know the truth about his nature, his attributes, his divine power, and about his Son, Jesus Christ. One can’t escape it or suppress it. Isaiah 32:4 reaffirms that even “the reckless mind will not be kept from gaining knowledge.” There are no excuses for the human race regarding truth. It is irresistible. So, what is the irresistible truth?

1- God Exists

He has made everything appropriate in its time He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. - Ecclesiastes 3:11

2- God Created the World and Human Beings

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. - Genesis 1:1

Then the LORD God formed man from dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. - Genesis 2:7

3- Original Sin Exists

Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked. - Genesis 3:6-7

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. - Romans 5:12

4- Sin Separates Human Beings from God

As it is written: there is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks after God. - Romans 3:10-11

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23

5- Jesus Christ Lived

And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
- Luke 2:21-22

6- Jesus Christ was God in Human Form

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. - John 1:14

7- Jesus Christ Died

After crucifying Him they divided His clothes by casting lots. Then they sat down and were guarding Him there. Above His head they put up the charge against Him in writing: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then two criminals were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. - Matthew 27:35-38

Then know this, you and all the people: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified. - Acts 4:10

8- Jesus Christ was Raised from the Dead

And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. - Luke24:2-3

This Jesus, God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. - Acts 2:3-2

9- Jesus Represents the Remedy for Sin and the Only Way to God

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. - 2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6

10- Human Beings Can Know and Experience God

But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted. - John 15:7

Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? - Romans 8:32

11- The Bible is God’s Word

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
- 1 Peter 1:20-21

12- There is Hope for the Afterlife

And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. - 1 John 5:20

These are the corresponding foundations of truth that the Christian world view claims are essential to spiritual vitality and oneness with God. These are the irresistible truths that cannot be ignored, rationalized away, or denied by the skeptic, agnostic and lukewarm Christian alike. These are the irresistible truths that have to be loved, propagated and passionately promoted by those who say they’ve encountered the obvious; by true followers of Christ.