by Emmett Smith

A common argument against the existence of God is that a truly "good" god would not allow evil. Could not an omnipotent god restrict his creation to only good, and not evil? Of course he could. And He did!

When He had finished the creation, He said that it was "very good". According to Genesis 2:16-17, God told Adam and Eve that they could eat the fruit of any tree in the garden, save one. The fruit of the tree of "the knowledge of good and evil", was forbidden. So when they were created, Adam and Eve had no knowledge of good versus evil.

It’s been said that ignorance is bliss. And where Adam and Eve were concerned their ignorance of good versus evil certainly fits that old cliché. But all was not well. There was an evil one in the garden, but he wasn't human. He used Eve's curiosity against her, and subsequently against all humanity since.

Ironically, it was the human thirst for knowledge that caused death, and all the evils associated therewith, to enter the world. There are many things that we need to have knowledge of. Jesus invoked blessedness on those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.

But there are many things a Christian is better off not knowing. Inevitably we will acquire knowledge of evil. But we certainly shouldn't hunger and thirst after it. The apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians (5:11,12) that certain evil things done in secret are shameful even to speak of. Surely we're better off without knowing the details of those types of things. Don't you think that's at least partly what Jesus was getting at when He told us we must be converted and become like little children? (Matthew 18:3)

Philippians 4:8 pretty well sums it up. And I wonder how much better off the church would be if we all were more conscientious about what we allow into our thoughts. What do you think?

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

by Emmett Smith

The past week’s news has been largely dominated by various accounts relating to the deaths of Odai and Qusai, the sons of Saddam Hussein. The many atrocities attributed to both should bring home to all of us the fact that evil does exist. In today’s climate of moral relativism, where many immoral things are tending to lose their stigma, facts such as these serve as stark reminders. As well they should. The evil one sometimes overplays his hand, and perhaps being reminded of the evils of Saddam’s regime has caused some folks to rethink some of their assumptions.

Whatever the reasons, a poll conducted by USA TODAY, CNN, and Gallup, indicated that people’s opinions toward homosexual “rights” has changed. The article noted that the recent Supreme Court decisions and the resultant media blitz were largely responsible for this apparent change of opinion. Again, it seems that when people are encouraged to think through some of these issues for themselves their opinions begin to change. It’s all well and good to agree to something in principle, but being forced to think about its potential in practice may lead to quite a different conclusion.

Of course, we should realize that the evil one doesn’t want us to think about things too much. And he certainly doesn’t want the Biblical perspective being presented for contemplation. The first Psalm makes the point that the righteous person delights in and meditates on God’s word night and day. Think about that for a moment. How righteous are you when measured by that standard?

Psalms 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

by Emmett Smith

The Sydney (Australia) Morning Herald ran an article this past week titled, “Some astronomers have too much time”. The article discussed the findings of an Australian National University astronomer and his colleagues. They deduced that the universe contains 70 sextillion stars. That’s 7 followed by 22 zeros! The team also decided that this number of stars far outnumbers all of the grains of sand on earth.

God’s declaration of His covenant with Abraham included similar language. Abraham’s seed were likened in number to the dust of the earth, to the sand of the sea shore, and to the stars of heaven. All of these things are literally innumerable to us humans. Even the astronomers cited above acknowledged that their findings were based on very simplified models. They examined a strip of the sky, counted and then visually examined all the galaxies known to reside therein, estimated the number of stars based on the perceived brightness of each galaxy, and then extrapolated out to the edge of the known universe.

Rather a rough estimate, indeed. In fact, however, God knows these numbers precisely, not as an estimate but as certain knowledge! And the use of these particular analogies in His promise to Abraham was surely based on man’s acknowledged ignorance of these very numbers. Abraham’s seed were to be innumerable! But that’s not all. Abraham’s seed also includes all the faithful throughout the Christian age. As such, the number is continually growing.

We can’t comprehend such numbers. But we can be part of that great number!

Psalms 147:4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

by Emmett Smith

This just in! Some organization called the World Technology Network has issued to Peter Singer, professor of bioethics at Princeton University, the 2003 World Technology Award for Ethics. Now, I don’t know just what these folks consider ethical, but the guy they’ve honored with this award is infamous for his contention that newborn babies up to 28 days old should be put to death if their life is deemed substandard due to some diagnosed "disability."

It1s not too difficult to see where that philosophy is headed, is it? Don’t you know that "the one who has the power of death," as stated in Hebrews 2:14, is chortling? He's already got us putting, on average, 3,500 per month to death in the name of "choice." Now the prospect of untold thousands of additional innocents slaughtered must be highly pleasurable to the evil one. Of course, Singer, et. al., don't at all mean to stop with infants. If they have their way, any, of any age, who are judged "unfit" (read inconvenient), will be killed. Singer also has been very influential among the so-called animal rights activists, and believes animals should be valued as highly as humans. Of course, all these ideas are really only the logical outcome of belief in naturalistic humanism's denial of God.

How ironic that our Lord defeated the evil one with his own weapon! Hebrews 2:14 (ESV) says, "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil." The evil one uses death as his primary tool. He knows that once he succeeds in getting us to embrace a culture of death, his company in hell will be increased proportionately.

Jesus, on the other hand, came "that they may have life and have it abundantly" according to John 10:10 (ESV). The contrast should be eye opening. A culture of death versus the abundant life. Hmmm ... I wonder which I should choose ...

by Emmett Smith

A recent Associated Press article, titled "Activist Camp Trains Civilly Disobedient," dealt with the efforts of environmental activists to further prevent logging in National Forests. According to the article, the week-long camp was intended to train participants in techniques of civil disobedience (including "tree sitting") designed to delay or stop the loggers.

I don't know if you've noticed, but being an "activist" is considered a highly desirable occupation among many in today's society. Just think back on how many times you've had activism presented in a favorable light in movies, books, newspapers, etc. However, today's activists have nothing on the apostles and the early church!

According to Acts 17:6, they were referred to as "These that have turned the world upside down," and Thessalonica was in an uproar due to Paul's presence there. Within their generation the gospel was preached throughout the world! And their activism changed the world, literally, for millennia.

It's unfortunate that the present-day emphasis on activism so rarely encompasses spreading the gospel of Christ. We're always being informed about so-called "gay" activists, "pro-choice" activists, etc. It seems that almost any cause is considered a noble motivation for activism ... except Christianity. And the situation is coming to a head on several fronts.

Unless you've been marooned on a desert island this past week, you're aware of the Supreme Court's recent rulings on a variety of issues. Many activists have been encouraged by the decision striking down Texas' anti-sodomy law and the one upholding race-based admissions at the University of Michigan. These are signs of our times. However, these kinds of issues are not unique to our times. The early church had to deal with these kinds of things as well (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

What we really need are Christian activists whose priorities are in order. The handful of people Jesus chose for His work almost 2000 years ago were able to turn the world upside down. His commission hasn't changed in all this time. The world still needs the gospel as badly now as it did then. What's your cause?