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Q18 CAIN’S CURIOUS WIFE

 

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, if Adam and Eve were the only two humans on the planet when Cain and Abel were born, where did Cain get his wife from?

 

Answer: Two theological explanations offer insight into the question at hand.

The first, and perhaps the most straightforward, posits that Cain married one of his sisters. This interpretation finds support in the book of Genesis, which mentions Adam and Eve having other sons and daughters:

 

"After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters." 

(Genesis 5:4)

 

Before the establishment of the Mosaic covenant, it was not uncommon for siblings to intermarry. Even the patriarch Abraham himself married his half-sister Sarah:

 

"Abraham replied, 'I said to myself, "There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife." Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife.'" 

(Genesis 20:11-12)

 

Therefore, it stands to reason that Cain could have taken a wife from among his own sisters.

 

Another theological perspective, held by some theologians, suggests that two distinct categories of humans populated the earth at that time. The first category is mentioned in Genesis 1:

 

"God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'" 

(Genesis 1:26-28)

 

These individuals existed outside of the Garden and were tasked with filling the earth and exercising dominion over it. The second category, which began with the family of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:7-8), is viewed as a sanctified priestly group that served the Lord in the Garden of Eden, akin to a temple, and were intended to be God’s representatives to the wider human population. 

Evidence for this can be found in motifs such as the Divine presence, the Cherubim, the Menorah Tree, pomegranate carvings, flowers, and animal sacrifice in later temples.

This interpretation may shed light on why Cain feared those outside of Eden and why, due to the growing population, he felt compelled to establish a city:

 

"Cain said to the Lord, 'My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.' But the Lord said to him, 'Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.' Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden." 

(Genesis 4:13-16)

 

Thus, this perspective offers a plausible explanation for where Cain found his wife outside of Eden and why, given the growing population, he felt the need to establish a city:

 

"Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch." 

(Genesis 4:17)

 

In conclusion, whichever theological explanation one finds persuasive, there is no inherent contradiction regarding Cain finding a wife, whether from among his own sisters or possibly from outside of Eden.

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Q17 PARADISE FOUND

 

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, was the garden of Eden a real place or was it just a mythical story?

 

Answer: The author of Genesis paints a vivid picture of the location of the Garden of Eden, providing intricate details that offer clues to its whereabouts. 

 

Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:8-9

 

In Genesis 2:8-9, we learn that Eden is situated in the east, prompting the question: east of what? Tradition suggests that if the author was Moses, then it likely refers to a place east of either the Sinai Peninsula or the land of Midian. Following this line of thought, a look at the map reveals the Persian Gulf region, with modern-day Kuwait and southern Iraq fitting the description.

Further verses in Genesis 2:10-14 elaborate on Eden's geography, 

 

A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.(The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

Genesis 2:10-14

 

Here Scripture describes a single river flowing through the garden that branches into four: the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. While the last three rivers are identifiable today, the Pishon presents a bit of a puzzle. The reason for this puzzle is because today it is now mostly a dry riverbed. However, satellite imagery indicates its past significance, connecting it with the other three rivers, though the ancient land of Havilah.

By piecing together these clues, we can reasonably locate the Garden of Eden near the top of the Persian Gulf. This area boasts a warm, well-watered climate, ideal for sustaining the lush garden described in Genesis. Thus, while the precise location may be subject to debate, the text provides enough information to place Eden within the broader region of the ancient Near East.

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Q16 RICKY GERVAIS vs. THE MONA LISA

 

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, I've been pondering a question that's been raised by popular atheists like Ricky Gervais, who often assert that because there are 3,000+ gods worshipped in the world, (and Christians do not believe in these), that the Christian God must therefore also be false. Could you please offer your insight on whether this argument holds weight against Christianity?

 

Answer: This argument is quite prevalent among atheists today, yet, like many of their arguments, it lacks thorough consideration. Although it may be true that there are 3000+ gods worshipped in the world today, this does not mean that they are therefore all false and none of them exist.

 

Allow me to illustrate:

 

In the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci created the world-famous masterpiece known as the Mona Lisa. Today, this painting is estimated to be worth over a billion pounds and is housed in the Louvre Museum. However, few people realise that da Vinci actually painted at least four different versions of this masterpiece, and there exist at least a dozen outstanding replicas of it. Additionally, thousands of prints of this renowned painting have been produced, sold and circulated worldwide.

 

Now, let's pose a similar question to what some atheists propose: Is it true that just because there are thousands of prints, a dozen excellent copies, and four different versions of the Mona Lisa, the original version in the Louvre doesn't exist? Or, because there are so many copies, does it mean the original one must be a copy too? Can you discern the major flaw in this line of logic?

The reason banks face numerous issues with counterfeit money and credit cards today is because the authentic versions of these items actually exist. If you've ever encountered "knock-off" versions of your favourite aftershaves, perfumes, clothing accessories, handbags, or shoes, what makes them tempting to purchase is the fact that they are nearly indistinguishable from the real thing, but at a fraction of the cost.

 

In our diverse world, where over 3,000 gods may be worshipped, it's essential to clarify that the sheer number of perceived deities doesn't diminish the validity of the Christian God or negate His existence. In fact, it could be interpreted as a subtle affirmation of His existence.

Let's explore the possible scenarios:

 

All 3,000 gods exist harmoniously: 

This notion is swiftly dismissed when considering the distinctive characteristics and attributes attributed to the Christian God, which would fundamentally conflict with the existence of other gods. Such a scenario would contradict the very essence of the Christian faith.

 

None of the 3,000 gods exist: 

Those advocating for this view would need to substantiate their claim, a monumental task given the enormity of the assertion. The burden of proof here is insurmountable, rendering this option less plausible.

    

One out of the 3,000 gods exists: 

This option appears to be the most viable. Is it conceivable to conduct an exhaustive inquiry to ascertain if the existence of a specific deity is more probable than not, considering all available evidence?

 

As a Christian apologist, I firmly believe that a thorough examination of the evidence leads inevitably to the God depicted in the Holy Bible. Through diligent investigation and a commitment to follow the evidence wherever it leads, the Christian God emerges as the most compelling and coherent explanation for the existence of a divine being.

 

 

Q15 THE PROBLEM OF PAIN

 

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, if God is good why does he allow so much pain and suffering in the world? 

 

Answer: As a Christian apologist, I approach the question of why God allows pain and suffering with thoughtfulness and humility, understanding that it's one of the most profound and challenging questions we grapple with. Here are some perspectives to consider when addressing this question:

 

Free Will: 

One of the central tenets of Christian theology is the concept of free will. God has granted humanity the gift of free will, which allows us to make choices, including choices that may lead to pain and suffering. Without free will, our ability to love, to choose goodness, and to grow spiritually would be compromised. While this freedom allows for the possibility of evil and suffering, it also enables genuine relationships and moral responsibility.

    

Soul-Making Theodicy: 

This perspective, championed by theologians like John Hick, suggests that God allows suffering as a means of soul-making or spiritual growth. Through facing adversity, individuals have the opportunity to develop virtues such as courage, compassion, resilience, and empathy. Suffering can be a catalyst for personal transformation and the deepening of one's relationship with God. This was clearly in evidence during the recent Corona virus pandemic for example.

 

The Greater Good: 

God, being omniscient and omnipotent, sees the bigger picture that we, as finite beings, cannot comprehend. While we may perceive certain instances of suffering as senseless or unjust, God may allow them because they ultimately contribute to a greater good that we cannot fully grasp. This is often called the ripple effect or the butterfly effect and could include the prevention of greater evils, the cultivation of virtues, the realisation of God's redemptive plan, or the purification of souls for eternity.

 

Jesus' Suffering: 

Central to Christian belief is the understanding of Jesus Christ's suffering and crucifixion. Christians believe that through Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, God entered into the human experience of suffering and transformed it. In Christ's suffering, we find hope and redemption, knowing that God understands our pain intimately and offers the promise of ultimate healing and restoration.

 

The Mystery of God's Ways: 

Ultimately, as finite beings, our understanding of God's ways is limited. The Bible acknowledges this in Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." While we may not fully comprehend why God allows pain and suffering, we trust in God's wisdom, goodness, and sovereignty, knowing that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

 

So while the existence of pain and suffering remains somewhat of a mystery, Christians find solace in the belief that God is present in the midst of suffering, offering comfort, hope, and the promise of ultimate redemption. Through the lens of faith, we trust that God's purposes extend beyond our understanding and that ultimately, His love and goodness will prevail.

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Q14 MUSK ON GOD

 

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, I just saw an interview on Youtube where Elon Musk said that God may explain where the Universe came from. Why does Elon think this when he is not religious?  

 

Answer: In a recent interview, Elon Musk fielded various questions related to faith, religion, and God. Here, we highlight two selected questions from the interview:

 

Q1:

Interviewer: 'Are you religious at all?'

Musk: 'I would say I generally agree with the teachings of Christianity, but I am not religious.'

 

Q2:

Interviewer: 'But do you believe in a God or a higher power?'

Musk: 'Well, something created the Universe, or the Universe is, you know, here. How did it come 

to be? You could say whatever caused the Universe to come to be is God.'

 

Why does Musk, an agnostic, associate the origin of the Universe with God? While Musk likely has his own reasons, several considerations can shed light on this connection. Three plausible options exist for explaining the existence of our Universe, and these three options present two distinct possibilities:

 

1. The Universe is eternal, uncaused and uncreated.

2. The Universe was created by something causally prior to its existence.

 

Let’s take a closer look at these three plausible options:

 

Option #1: The Universe is Eternal

This first option is False. As we discovered in our last edition, there is ample evidence to support an absolute beginning of the Universe. An acronym we used for this evidence is S.U.R.G.E.D (cf. last week's question). 

In addition to this evidence we also have the support of the Borde-Guth-Vilenkin Theorem which states, “Any Universe that has, on average, been expanding throughout its history cannot be infinite in the past but must have a past spacetime boundary.”

 

Option #2: Something Temporal caused the Universe

The second option is also false. When we refer to 'something temporal,' we are talking about something existing within the realm of time. However, this concept gives rise to an infinite regress of past temporal events or a chicken-and-egg scenario. So, the question arises: which came first, the cause or the effect? According to this option, there was no initial cause or effect. This peculiar scenario ultimately eliminates a starting point in the chain of events that would lead to the creation of the Universe. This mathematical paradox is perfectly demonstrated by Mathematician David Hilbert, in his now famous Hilbert’s Hotel illustration.

 

Option #3: Something Eternal caused the Universe 

The third option holds true, or is more plausibly true than options 1 and 2. The rationale behind this assertion lies in our understanding that the Universe had an absolute beginning in space-time. If time commenced at the moment of creation, it follows that prior to this event, time did not exist. Consequently, whatever caused the Universe to come into being must inherently be timeless or eternal. Furthermore, the only conceivable way to derive a temporal effect (the Universe) from an eternal cause is if the eternal cause actively chose to initiate the creation of the Universe. As this act of creation marks the inaugural event, it sets in motion the flow of time, which serves as a measurement of subsequent events.

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Hence, it is considerably more plausible that the Universe was created by a free-will agent, and this agent aligns with what we commonly refer to as God. Perhaps even Elon Musk would characterise it as such?

 

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Q13 POP GOES THE BIG BANG

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, many young earth creation ministries are saying that the James Webb Space Telescope is calling into question the Big Bang theory and that we’re going to have to go back to the drawing board on the origins of the Universe. Is this correct?

 

Answer: Sadly, some of these ministries exhibit a tendency to present information that is not consistently accurate, clear, or fair. Their inclination towards the bias of advocating for a Universe that is only 6,000 years old skews their worldview, leading to the immediate rejection of any data that contradicts this perspective. Rather than thoroughly examining all available scientific data, these ministries selectively choose anomalies and present them as facts to bolster their case. 

 

It is important to note that the James Webb Space Telescope has significantly contributed to supporting the standard view of the Big Bang creation model. Surprisingly, it has revealed the rapid onset of galaxy formation in the early Universe. However, this revelation does not cast doubt on the validity of the Big Bang theory. When considering the evidence supporting the Big Bang, the acronym S.U.R.G.E.D, symbolising the Universe surging into being, provides a helpful framework:

 

S - Second Law of Thermo Dynamics: 

Remarkably, within the vastness of the Universe, usable energy remains present. This is why the sun still shines and stars still twinkle. This law highlights the natural progression from order to disorder in systems. From usable energy to unusable dissipated energy. However, it's noteworthy that we haven't reached the theoretical concept of heat death yet—an ultimate state of maximum entropy where all energy is dissipated. The cosmos is still far from experiencing such a conclusive event, and therefore is not eternally old. It had a definite beginning, a finite time ago.

 

U - Uniformity: 

Uniformity in the cosmos is a fascinating aspect of our universe. This consistency is a cosmic clue that points to some incredible fine-tuning that occurred during the Big Bang, setting the stage for everything we see today.

Whether you're gazing towards the left, right, up, down, or anywhere in between, the Universe looks the same. It's not just a cosmic coincidence; the Universe had its initial conditions dialled in with precision. Two heavyweights in this cosmic fine-tuning arena are the Gravitational constant and the Cosmological constant.

 

R - Radiation Echo: 

Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson discovered the radiation afterglow from the Big Bang event. In 1964, Penzias and Wilson were working at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New Jersey, conducting experiments with a large horn antenna. They detected a faint, mysterious noise that seemed to come from all directions in the sky. Initially, they thought the noise might be due to interference or some technical issue.

However, after careful investigation and ruling out various possible sources of the signal, they realised that what they were detecting was the afterglow of the Big Bang, known as the cosmic microwave background radiation. This discovery provided strong confirmation for the idea that the Universe began with a hot and dense state and has been expanding ever since.

 

G - General Relativity: 

In the context of the Universe's early moments and the Big Bang theory, general relativity suggests that space and time are intricately connected with the energy and matter content of the Universe. The theory describes gravity not as a force between masses, as described by Newtonian physics, but as the curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass and energy.

When scientists applied Einstein’s field equations to the entire Universe on cosmological scales, they found solutions that described an expanding Universe, implying that space and time had an absolute beginning. 

 

E - Expanding Universe: 

Edwin Hubble observed that the light from distant galaxies exhibited a redshift – a shift toward longer wavelengths – in their spectral lines. This redshift was consistent with the Doppler effect, which occurs when a light source is moving away from an observer. Hubble interpreted this redshift as evidence that galaxies were moving away from us and, by extension, from each other. The greater the distance to a galaxy, the larger its redshift..

 

D - Distant Star Light: 

Light travels at the constant speed of 186,282 miles per second. This means that when we view an object 186,282 miles away we’re not looking at it as it is now, but rather how it was 1 second ago. The Sun for instance is 93 million miles away, so the Sun we perceive in the sky is not how it is now, but rather how it was 8 minutes and 20 seconds ago. Therefore, the further into space we look, the further back in time we are observing. And as we look further into space (and therefore further back in time) we can see the Universe as it was only cosmic moments after the Big Bang occurred. 

 

The Big Bang creation model stands as compelling evidence that resonates with the idea of a transcendent creator, closely mirroring the creation accounts depicted in the Scriptures. This alignment is so striking that even agnostic Professor Robert Jastrow acknowledges its significance,

 

“Astronomers now find they have painted themselves into a corner because they have proven, by their own methods, that the world began abruptly in an act of creation to which you can trace the seeds of every star, every planet, every living thing in this cosmos and on the earth. And they have found that all this happened as a product of forces they cannot hope to discover… That there are what I or anyone would call supernatural forces at work is now, I think, a scientifically proven fact.”

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Q12 GOD VS. SCIENCE

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, I have read in an online article that science has now disproven the existence of God. Is this assertion correct?

 

Answer: This assertion, frequently championed by online atheists, lacks credible evidence to substantiate it. At its core, science is dedicated to investigating the mechanics of our universe, focusing its energies on understanding creation rather than the Creator. Due to its inherent limitations, science could never disprove the existence of God.

 

To illustrate this point, envision the universe as a vast ocean, with science acting as a submarine capable of exploring its depths, understanding currents, and observing the creatures that inhabit it. However, there is a fundamental restriction: the submarine cannot ascend above the ocean to explore deep space. Deep space exists beyond the ocean, in a realm inaccessible to the submarine. Similarly, God's existence is often described as transcending the physical universe. While science can study the universe, it cannot extend beyond it to either prove or disprove God.

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In our universe, science serves as a valuable tool for explaining the workings of the physical world. Nevertheless, its utility is constrained. Notably, science cannot prove logical or mathematical truths; in fact it operates under the assumption of the certainty of logic and mathematics. Moreover, it falls short in proving metaphysical or ethical truths and cannot address aesthetic judgments. Ironically, science itself cannot be justified by the scientific method. Consequently, the God question lies far beyond the scope of scientific inquiry, as science cannot either disprove or prove God.

 

A noteworthy outcome of scientific inquiry however is the revelation of the intricate and finely tuned nature of our universe, conducive to the existence of advanced intelligent life. While science struggles to answer the question of why the universe is this way, theology, philosophy and mathematics adeptly contribute to addressing this profound query.

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Q11 WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, I find it difficult to believe in some of the miracle stories of the Old Testament. Is there any evidence outside of the Bible for these events?

 

Answer: Miracles often pose a challenge to belief, as they transcend our common everyday experiences, and there is a tendency within us to seek naturalistic explanations for everything. However, archaeological evidence indicates that several remarkable events recounted in the Old Testament did indeed occur. One such event is the miraculous conquest of Jericho by Joshua and his army.

 

According to the biblical narrative, Joshua and his forces were instructed by the LORD to encircle the city for seven days—performing one circuit daily for the first six days followed by seven circuits on the seventh day. Upon completing this task, they were directed to shout, causing the city walls to crumble. The account in Joshua 6:20-21 describes the ensuing events:

 

“When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city. They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep, and donkeys.”

 

Subsequently, the city was set ablaze per the LORD’s command, as detailed in verse 24 of the same chapter:

 

“Then they burned the whole city and everything in it, but they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the Lord’s house.”

 

Incredible evidence supporting this destruction has been uncovered. German archaeologists initially discovered fallen mud bricks in 1907, later correctly identified by archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon in the 1950s as the remnants of Jericho's walls. Notably, these walls fell outward, forming a brick ramp leading into the city, aligning with the biblical narrative. 

 

Additionally, archaeologists found a three-foot layer of ash containing Egyptian scarabs with inscriptions dating the burn level to around 1410 BC, coinciding with Joshua’s conquest. Kathleen Kenyon observed:

 

“The destruction was complete. Walls and floors were blackened or reddened by fire, and every room was filled with fallen bricks, timbers, and household utensils; in most rooms, the fallen debris was heavily burnt, but the collapse of the walls of the eastern rooms seems to have taken place before they were affected by the fire.”

 

Moreover, charred grain stores have been discovered, indicating the time of year the invasion occurred. Dr. Wood notes:

 

“The presence of these grain stores in the destroyed city is entirely consistent with the biblical account… The city did not fall as a result of a starvation siege, as was so common in ancient times. Instead, the Bible tells us Jericho was destroyed after but seven days.”

 

This timing aligns with the biblical account in Joshua 5:10, where it mentions the celebration of the passover by Joshua and his army before invading Jericho during springtime.

 

Presently, a wealth of archaeological evidence lends credence to biblical narratives, obviating the need for blind faith in these stories. Despite the wondrous nature of some events, the Bible has repeatedly proven itself as an accurate historical record. For a God capable of creating an entire universe from nothing, occasional miracles are a triviality.

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Q10 JEWISH BABY WORSHIP?

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, why would Babylonian Magi travel such a great distance to worship a Jewish baby?

 

Answer: The historical context surrounding the Magi (wise men) and Jesus is complex and nuanced, and there are multiple reasons for their motivations. We find the story of the visit of the Magi in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 2,

 

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1-2

 

Guided by a celestial light, the Magi embarked on a journey from the East, their hearts set on finding and worshipping the newborn King. Their arrival in Jerusalem sent ripples of curiosity and apprehension. King Herod, threatened by the prospect of a rival, sought to manipulate the Magi for his own gain. The story continues in verse 9,

 

“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

Matthew 2:9-11

 

This unusual light now travels ahead of them and leads them to the place where the infant Jesus was staying. It is unusual because a literal star could not behave in this manner: moving from east to west, then from north to south, coming to rest over a single household in Bethlehem. As confirmed by science, any literal star that hovered over a single property would have incinerated the planet! Therefore, what we have here is most likely a manifestation of the Shekinah glory in the form of a star/light. Here, it leads the Magi in a similar way it led the children of Israel out of Egypt into the wilderness. This raises a further question: ‘What compelled the Magi to follow a star in the first place?’

The answer can be found in the ancient corridors of Babylon, where two crucial figures foretold the arrival of this remarkable king.

 

The first, Balaam son of Beor, uttered a cryptic prophecy centuries earlier:

 

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel…”

Numbers 24:17a

 

Of interest to note here is the unusual pairing of a star and sceptre. The sceptre was an ancient symbol for a powerful king whilst a star symbolised a nation’s god. In essence what Balaam was foretelling was that Israel’s God would one day become their earthly king.

 

The second figure, Daniel, the exiled Jewish prophet who rose to become head of the Magi, provided an even more specific timeline for this God-king's arrival. Daniel's prophecies, enshrined in the Book of Daniel, painted a vivid picture of this Divine Kingdom’s appearing during the time of the fourth world empire, the Roman Empire:

 

“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces.”

Daniel 2:44-45

 

Secondly, Daniel foresaw that His birth would occur 483 years after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, a precise calculation based on the combined “sixty-nine sevens”:

 

“Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’”

Daniel 9:25a

 

Armed with these ancient pronouncements and guided by the celestial light, the Magi finally reached their destination. In the presence of the infant Jesus, they bowed down in reverence, their hearts overflowing with adoration. Their gifts, imbued with profound symbolism, spoke volumes,

 

Gold, a treasure befitting a king, acknowledging Jesus' earthly reign.

Frankincense, a sacred resin used in worship, recognising his divine nature.

Myrrh, an embalming oil, foreshadowing his ultimate sacrifice for humanity.

 

 

Q9 HOLLYWOOD HORRORS

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, I recently watched a horror film at the cinema which claimed to be inspired by true events. When I researched the background to the film online, some claim that it was true, others that it was false and others that it was exaggerated. How can we know what’s true or false here and do demons really exist? 

 

Answer: When considering Hollywood films, it's crucial to recognise their tendency to exaggerate for entertainment purposes. However, when delving into the paranormal realm, exploring the existence of ghosts, demons, or spirits requires a clear, open, and analytical mindset. Testimonies of the paranormal from credible sources have circulated for millennia across diverse cultures worldwide.

 

Turning to the Holy Bible, both the Old and New Testaments unequivocally depict malevolent spiritual beings as real, living entities. Jesus, his disciples, and the early Church Fathers routinely confronted and expelled these entities with authority.

 

In his First Apology, Justin Martyr, a second-century Christian Apologist and Philosopher, elucidates their existence and fate:

 

“Among us, the chief of the evil demons is called the serpent, Satan, and the devil, as you can learn by examining our writings. Christ has foretold that he will be cast into fire, with his host, and the men who follow him, [all] to be punished for endless ages.

God delays doing this for the sake of the human race, foreknowing that there are some yet to be saved by repentance, even perhaps some not yet born.”

 

This echoes Jesus' words in Matthew 25:

 

“Then he [Jesus] will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’"

 

Justin further notes:

“For some [believers] do certainly cast out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits do frequently both believe and join the church.”

 

Origen, a late second-century Christian scholar and philosopher, supports Justin's assertions in Against Celsus:

 

“For it is not by incantations that Christians seem to prevail (over evil spirits), but by the name of Jesus, accompanied by the announcement of the narratives which relate to Him;

for the repetition of these has frequently been the means of driving demons out of men, especially when those who repeated them did so in a sound and genuinely believing spirit.”

 

Today, professionals also confirm the existence of malevolent entities. Professor Father Jordan Aumann, O.P., in his work Spiritual Theology, notes:

 

“Diabolical possession is a phenomenon in which the devil invades the body of a living person and moves the faculties and organs as if he were manipulating a body of his own. The devil truly resides within the body of the unfortunate victim, treating it as his own property. Those who suffer this despotic invasion are said to be possessed.”

 

Dr. Richard Gallagher, MD, a highly esteemed Clinical Psychiatrist trained at Princeton and Yale, recounts encounters with possessed individuals in his book Demonic Foes. One such case involves a woman named Julia, who demonstrated inexplicable knowledge about the psychiatrist's personal life. Dr Gallagher writes:

 

“She once told me how my own mother had died by the precise cause of ovarian cancer, which she had no way of knowing without a special source of knowledge. She did the same with other people, too.”

 

He continues,

 

“Later, I called Father Jacques to discuss proposed dates for Julia’s next exorcism. Suddenly, another voice interrupted our telephone conversation, hissing, “We said LEAVE HER ALONE, YOU [Expletive] PRIEST. She belongs to US, not you. You’ll be SORRY.”

 

These documented occurrences, while rare, contribute to the strong evidence for the existence of the demonic. Despite the unsettling nature of these phenomena, the good news is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has triumphed over the Devil and his fallen minions. Those who belong to Christ have been rescued from their power. Christ's sacrifice on the cross liberated humanity from the control of malevolent spirits, offering salvation and hope for both this life and the next to all who trust in Him. There really is power in the name of Jesus!

 

 

Q8 LET THERE BE LIGHT

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, how can the Big Bang be true when the Bible teaches that God made the sun, moon and stars on day number four? According to my understanding of science, stars were created before the earth. The Bible and science cannot both be right on this. 

 

Answer: Delving into the topic of creation, it's crucial to examine all available information and avoid solely relying on the account presented in Genesis. The Holy Bible encompasses diverse creation narratives, and when these are carefully reconciled, they paint a more comprehensive picture.

The opening verse of Genesis lays the foundation: 

 

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." 

 

This declaration places the heavens before the earth, emphasising their prior existence. The Hebrew term "Shamayim," employed here for "heavens," refers to the created universe or what we commonly recognise as outer space. This encompasses the celestial bodies we observe today – stars, planets, and galaxies.

 

Another compelling indication that the sun, moon, and stars existed prior to day four lies in verses 3-5: 

 

"And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day' and the darkness he called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning, the first day." 

 

The light that illuminated the earth on this first day establishes the concept of day and night, implying a fixed source of illumination. This source of light, acting just like our sun today, must be external to the earth, as the planet rotates on its axis.

 

Prior to this light, we are informed in verse 2 that the earth was cloaked in darkness. Why was this so? Could it be because the sun had not yet been created? Or is there a better explanation? The answer lies in another creation account found in Job 38:4-9: 

 

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you understand… Who shut in the sea with doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness?" 

 

This passage reveals that the earth's darkness was caused by God's wrapping of the planet in thick clouds. This aligns with the description in Genesis 6-9, where God begins to disperse this dense cloud cover, forming the sea and sky.

 

Logically, on day four, the sun, moon, and stars emerge from behind the thinning cloud cover, becoming visible to the naked eye as celestial markers for sacred times, days, and years.

 

Therefore, we can reconstruct the creation sequence as follows:

a. God creates the heavens with their celestial bodies.

b. The earth is shrouded in darkness due to a thick cloud cover.

c. The cloud cover diminishes, allowing light to penetrate, establishing day and night.

d. The cloud cover continues to thin and separates, forming the sky, enabling plant photosynthesis.

e. The sun, moon, and stars become visible to mark time for animals and humanity.

 

Ultimately, a harmonious coexistence between science and scripture is attainable in understanding the creation of the sun, moon and stars. The fourth day of creation depicts the emergence of these celestial bodies from the perspective of the earth’s surface. This is followed by a concise account of their origin in verses 16-18. This sequencing suggests that the heavenly bodies had already existed, shrouded by the thick cloud cover, and their visibility materialised as the cloud cover dissipated. This interpretation reconciles the creation narratives with both scientific findings and the biblical account

 

 

Q7 SIX CONTROVERSIAL DAYS

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, in Genesis Chapter 1 the Bible teaches that God made the world in six days and then rested on the seventh. Are these six literal 24 hour days or are these six long periods of time? 

 

Answer: This is a great question, and one that’s been debated for centuries. There are two main perspectives on this issue:

 

Perspective 1, Literal 24-hour days: 

Proponents of this view believe that the six days of creation were literal 24-hour periods. They point to the Hebrew word for "day" ("yom") used in Genesis 1, which is consistently used elsewhere in the Old Testament to refer to a 24-hour period. They also emphasise the repetition of the phrase "evening and morning" (Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31) as a marker of a complete day-night cycle.

 

Problems with this perspective:

If God created the Universe via his miracle working power, then six literal days is way too long a time period. For an omnipotent and omniscient being, the creation of a fully functioning Universe would be child's play and should have taken the briefest moment of time. On the other hand, if God created the Universe via natural laws, then six literal days is way too short of a time period to accomplish this. A further problem is that observable and testable science seems to suggest that the Universe and the Earth developed over long periods of time, and creation itself is a revelation from the Creator that should be investigated (cf. Romans 1).

 

Perspective 2, Figurative days: 

Others argue that the six days of creation are not meant to be taken literally as 24-hour periods but rather represent longer periods of time, potentially millions or even billions of years. They suggest that the author of Genesis 1 was using a literary framework of seven days to convey the message of God's creation and rest. This framework would have been much needed for the newly released Hebrew slaves who had spent their lives in Egypt working relentlessly. Also, other instances in the Bible where the word "yom" is used in a non-literal sense can be pointed to, such as in Genesis 2:4, where "the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens" refers to the entire creation period.

 

Problems with this perspective:

This perspective aligns itself nicely with observable and testable science and also clears up some of the issues within the early chapters of Genesis. However, young earth creationists would argue that the Bible should be taken literally and when it says six days, it means six literal 24 hour days.

 

A Possible Solution:

If Jewish tradition is correct, Moses, the author or compiler of Genesis, is believed to have had profound insight into the creation account. In Psalm 90, Moses, while contemplating God's eternal nature and the creation event, draws a parallel between God's perception of time and human perception, stating:

 

"For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night."

Psalm 90:4

 

This suggests that a day ("yom") in God's perspective extends far beyond the 24-hour period we experience. A thousand years, a significant span in human history, is akin to a fleeting moment in God's timeless existence.

This interpretation aligns with both Scripture and scientific observations. The vastness of the universe, with its billions of years of history, points to the existence of a Creator who transcends the limitations of human time.

In essence, the six days of creation, as described in Genesis, should not be confined to our human understanding of a day-night cycle. Instead, they represent extended periods of time, consistent with both biblical teachings and scientific evidence.

 

 

Q6 WAS JESUS WRONG?

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, In Mark Chapter 9 Jesus says, 

 

“Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” 

 

The problem I have with this verse is that all of the people standing there died and the Kingdom of God didn’t arrive. It’s now two thousand years later and it still hasn’t arrived! Was Jesus wrong in saying this?

 

Answer: This is a scripture that often trips a lot of people up, but the answer is actually closer than you think. In the very next verse we read, 

 

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.”

 

This event is known as the transfiguration of Jesus. The transfiguration was a momentous event that marked a turning point in his ministry. During this event, Jesus took three of his closest disciples, Peter, James, and John, up a high mountain. There, Jesus' appearance was transformed, becoming radiant and white as light. Moses and Elijah, two of the most important figures in Jewish history, appeared beside him, conversing with him.

 

This event was a powerful sign that Jesus was not just a human teacher, but the Messiah, the Son of God, the King of the Kingdom. The transfiguration was a brief foretaste of the Kingdom of God on earth, which Jewish prophets taught would be established from an exalted mountain in Israel. From here God's glory would radiate out from the top of it to the world, and this event would be the prophetic fulfilment of the feast of Tabernacles.

 

Is it any wonder then why Peter, witnessing the transfiguration, wanted to erect three tabernacles, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah? Being Jewish, he understood what was happening and responded in the correct manner. However his timing was a little bit premature. By suggesting this Peter wanted to acknowledge the significance of the event he was witnessing, that the Kingdom of God had touched down with power.

 

The transfiguration then, was a powerful reminder that Jesus was not just a man, but the Son of God, the King of the Kingdom. It was also the fulfilment of Jesus’ words that, 

 

“… some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

 

The some he referred to here, were Peter, James and John, and therefore Jesus was correct in his statement.

 

 

Q5 INSPIRED OR EXPIRED

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, how can I know that the Bible really is the word of God?

 

Answer: There are a number of reasons why we can trust that the Bible is the word of God. Here are a few of the most common arguments:

 

1. The Bible’s self claim

The Bible itself claims to be the inspired word of God in several places. One such place is 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 

 

2. The Bible's internal consistency

The Bible is a vast and complex book, written by over 40 different authors over a period of over 1,500 years. Yet, it is remarkably consistent in its message and theology. This suggests that it is more than just a collection of human writings; it is the inspired word of God.

 

3. The Bible's historical accuracy

The Bible contains a wealth of historical information, which has been verified by archaeological and extra-biblical sources. This suggests that the Bible is not just a collection of fables, myths and legends; it is a reliable historical document.

 

4. The Bible's prophetic fulfilment

The Bible contains hundreds of prophecies about the future, many of which have already come true. This suggests that the Bible is more than just a product of its time; it is the word of a God who knows the future and can control events.

 

5. The Bible’s scientific predictive power

The Bible reveals remarkable scientific knowledge thousands of years before modern discovery. One such clear prediction is the Big Bang creation model for the origin of the Universe. This suggests that the information contained in the Scriptures is coming from a transcendent, supernatural source.

 

6. The Bible's transformative power

The Bible has transformed the lives of millions of people throughout history. It has given people hope, strength, and guidance in times of trouble. It has also helped people to overcome sin and live more godly lives. This suggests that the Bible is more than just a book; it is the living word of God.

 

7. The Bible’s inspiration authenticated

The Bible’s inspiration as the word of God is confirmed by Jesus of Nazareth. A clear example of this can be found in Matthew 4:4, “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” As Jesus of Nazareth has indeed been raised from the dead, then his claim for the inspiration of Scripture has been vindicated.

 

In addition to these arguments, many Christians also believe that the Holy Spirit confirms to them that the Bible is the word of God. When they read the Bible, they experience a sense of peace and assurance that it is true. This is a subjective experience, but it is nonetheless a powerful one for many people.

 

 

Q4 YOU’VE GOT POTENTIAL

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, what is the argument for God’s existence from potential?

 

Answer: The Greek Philosopher Aristotle argued that everything in the natural world has potentiality, an inherent ability to become something different or to change in some way. However, for potentiality to be realised, it requires an actualiser, a force or being that brings about the fulfilment of that potential. 

 

For instance a tasty BLT sandwich, has the potential to be eaten and enjoyed. But it requires a person to pick up that sandwich and eat it, to actualise that potential.

 

In addition, the Model T car always had the potential to exist. But it required the imagination and creativity of Henry Ford to bring it into existence and therefore actualise that potential.

 

Also, the Universe in which we now live once didn’t exist, but it had the potential to exist. Then one day something/someone actualised that potential and here we are! 

 

In Aristotle's view, this chain of potentiality and actualisation cannot regress infinitely into he past; there must be a prime, uncaused actualiser to start the whole process. Aristotle identifies this ultimate actualiser as God, a transcendent and purely actual being (that was not actualised by anything else). 

 

God, in this context, becomes the original source of all actualisation, continuously sustaining the processes of change and development in the world. Consequently, Aristotle's argument concludes that God is the necessary and ultimate actualiser of all potential, serving as the foundational force behind all change.

 

So the next time you’re in your car, eating a tasty BLT sandwich, take a moment to thank God for the experience you’re enjoying.

 

 

Q3 THE SERPENT AND THE TREE

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, if God knows everything why did he allow the evil snake in the garden of Eden?

 

Answer: In the Genesis story, God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, giving them the ability to choose to obey or disobey him (free will). God also set up a test by placing a tree in the garden, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and instructed Adam and Eve not to eat its fruit.

 

However, they were tempted by the serpent, who is identified in the book of Revelation as the Devil or Satan, to eat from the forbidden tree. This resulted in their disobedience and expulsion from the garden. The presence of the serpent or Devil in the garden was the means by which God could test human obedience and free will.

 

Some interpretations suggest that God allowed the Devil to tempt Eve to provide the perfect couple with the contrary choice necessary to disobey, thus allowing them to exercise their free will. The idea is that true love and obedience come from the freedom to choose, and without the option and means to disobey, their obedience to God wouldn't have been meaningful.

 

It’s also of importance to note that in 2 Timothy 1:9, Paul writes that ‘This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.’ Showing that even prior to the creation of the Universe, God knew the fall of humanity would occur as part of his divine plan of redemption.

 

 

Q2 THE KALAM ARGUMENT

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, what is the Kalam Cosmological Argument and can you explain it to me in simple terms?

 

Answer: The Kalam Cosmological Argument is a philosophical and theological argument for the existence of God. It is named after the medieval Islamic scholastic philosopher Al-Ghazali and has been popularised in recent times by our very own, Dr. William Lane Craig. The argument can be summarised in three simple steps:

 

Step 1: Everything that begins to exist has a cause:

 

This step asserts that things don't just pop into existence without any reason or cause. If something begins to exist, there must be something that caused it to exist.

 

Step 2: The Universe began to exist:

 

The second step argues that the Universe is not past eternal but had a definite starting point in the past. This conclusion is based on scientific and mathematical evidence such as the Big Bang theory, which suggests that the Universe had a beginning.

 

Step 3: Therefore, the Universe has a cause:

 

Combining the first two steps, the argument concludes that since the Universe had a beginning, it must have a cause or explanation for its existence.

 

As proponents of the Kalam Cosmological Argument we then go further to identify this cause as God. We argue that whatever caused the Universe must be uncaused, eternal, powerful, and able to bring about the Universe. This cause is then identified with the concept of God as revealed in Holy Scripture.

 

 

Q1 BIG BANG AND GOD

Question: Dear Pastor Paul, I have heard some Christian apologists use the Big Bang theory as an evidence for the existence of God. Isn’t the Big Bang theory anti-God and wasn’t it created by Atheists as a means to avoid God?

 

Answer: Contrary to common belief, the concept of the Big Bang aligns remarkably well with the Biblical narrative of creation, standing as a robust scientific corroboration. It challenges the once-prevailing idea of a Universe existing eternally. Scientists employ the term "Big Bang" to depict the abrupt origin and expansion of space, time, matter and energy.

The Bible outlines four key attributes of a Big Bang Universe:

 

1. An absolute beginning

According to Genesis 1:1 and Hebrews 11:3, the Universe had a beginning, indicating the necessity of a transcendent Creator.

 

2. An expanding Universe

At least five Biblical authors reference an expanding universe. This is evident in passages such as Job 9:8, Psalm 104:2, Isaiah 40:22, 42:5, 44:24, 45:12, 48:13, 51:13, Jeremiah 10:12, 51:15, and Zechariah 12:1.

 

3. Unchanging laws of Physics

Scripture also emphasises the constancy of the laws of physics, notably in Jeremiah 33:25–26.

 

4. Law of Decay

Romans 8:18–21 also speaks of the universal law of decay that we see all around us in nature.

 

These four Biblical attributes of a singular beginning, cosmic expansion, and unchanging laws of physics, including the law of decay—sum up the essence of a Big Bang Universe. The alignment between the ancient Biblical description of the Universe and contemporary scientific understanding serves as compelling evidence for the supernatural inspiration of the words of the Bible, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” - Genesis 1:1