Remembering Dad

Photo:  My Dad, Walter Leroy, at age 19 when he entered into the Army Air Corp.  He was a member  of the WWII Greatest Generation.

 

I know.  This post could be considered “too early” for Father’s Day, and you would be correct.  However, I am writing it today because it has been 19 years since my dear dad passed away on May 30, 1995.  Of course, I still miss him to this very day.  However, I want to share a very special and spiritually uplifting  event that happened while my dad was so ill with mesothelioma (inoperable lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure) in January, 1995.

The following information that I am about to share is more personal “proof” (if one wants to call it that), of why my faith in and  through  being born again in Jesus Christ  has been strengthened over more than 20 years of Bible study.  What’s more, we can add this testimony of a spiritually given gift to what was previously shared in my former post,  Why I Believe In Jesus Christ.

Permit me to backtrack a bit.

In the summer of 1994, my mom and dad were visiting my family and I here in California. As I mentioned above, my dad had been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer (due to asbestos exposure) and had been going through chemotherapy treatments. These treatments made him weak.  So, we didn’t do the usual sight seeing excursions as we had done during visits in the past. In fact, the one day we did go out, he quickly became very tired walking around a shopping area in LaJolla.

When we came back home, my discussion with my dad turned towards God. He abruptly said, “God is punishing me.”

This shocked me at first, because I wasn’t sure if my dad ever even thought about the things of God. He hardly ever went to church when I was a kid and I often worried about his relationship with “the Man upstairs” as he liked to call Him.

We had a brief conversation about who and what was really responsible for him contracting lung cancer. He was tired and wanted to rest so I asked him if we could talk more about it later. He said yes, but we never did that day.

Soon after that brief conversation, my parents were on the plane back to New Jersey.

In January of 1995, my dad had taken a severe turn for the worse. My mom was convinced that he had “a matter of days” to live. I boarded a plane and flew out to see my dad and talk with him about the Lord. On the plane, I had little booklets called, “Our Daily Bread” that contained excerpts of Bible verses and brief commentary about them. I started to highlight the portions of Scripture that I would share with him.

I have to be honest and state that I felt completely inadequate to witness to my own dad!  However, I realized while studying Scripture on the plane that I was focusing on my felt needs rather than focusing my attention and energy towards the leading of the Holy Spirit Who would ultimately help me in my inadequacy!

I can’t say that I was “scared” to share the gospel with my dad; it was more of a worry that I wouldn’t “do it right” and end up pushing him further away from the Lord.  [Been there, done that?]  He never spoke to me about spiritual things while I was growing up so I just assumed that he was agnostic.

When I arrived at the house in N.J., I was so saddened to see my dad in such bad condition. He was bedridden, couldn’t move, drowsy from medication, and incontinent. My dad had always been a big, tall, and very strong man. To see him at half his normal weight and weak like that was very difficult. I waited until I was in my former bedroom upstairs in the house and cried my eyes out.

I helped my mom tend to him physically over the next few days, but I also asked him if we could continue our discussion from the summer about “God punishing him.”

During our discussion, I discovered something about my dad that I never knew before. When my family and I were attending the Catholic church during the days of my youth,  my dad typically stayed home.  He would usually watch sports on TV. What I didn’t know is that he would often flip through the channels during the commercials and watched Charles Stanley’s (Christian preacher) broadcast! I was certainly thrilled to hear that! It gave me an “in” to share the Bible with him.

I referred to the Scriptures I had highlighted in the booklets and shared the verses that would (hopefully) lead into sharing the gospel with my dad. Sometimes he would tire easily and ask me to stop. This went on for about 3 days.

On that third day, I presented the gospel message to him and asked if he would like to repent of his sins (as I had done, and we all need to do!)  and ask Jesus into his heart for the salvation of his soul.

HE SAID YES!!

My mom (she is now 90 years young!!) was nearby sitting on a chair and we all prayed together! I was so thrilled that my dad, in what was close to the 11th hour of his life, made the eternal decision for Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! Praise God!!!

We continued with our Bible studies until the day came when it was time for me to fly back home to my family in California.

Before that day arrived, an unusual but exciting thing happened on one glorious afternoon!   I  hesitated to share this incident with others at first because I thought that people might not react well to it.  Or, I thought that they might simply  claim that my dad must have been “doped up” and didn’t know what he was saying.

 

This is what happened.

 

We had just finished our Bible study and my mom was in the kitchen getting lunch ready.

While sitting near my dad’s bed, I heard him say, “Alright Joe.”

I said, “What dad?”

My dad said, “I was talking to my buddy Joe.” [Note:  My dad often referred to his friends as “buddies” – especially in the military.]

I said, “Joe? Who and where is Joe?”

My dad said, “He’s right over there,” as he pointed to the empty chair where my mom usually sits.

I looked at the empty chair, then I looked at my dad. He seemed to be listening intently as he stared at the chair. There was a moment of silence and then my dad said, “Oh.”

I said, “What dad?”

He said, “He says you can’t see him.”

I was flabbergasted! Something like this had never happened to me before!  I was so shocked that I forgot to ask more questions!

My mom entered the room and we had lunch. Later, I asked my mom if dad knows a man named “Joe.” She told me that he was best buddies with a guy he knew while serving in WWII and he was named “Joe.” Joe died while in the service.

I have often wondered if my dad had been visited by an angel who appeared before him looking like his friend Joe. I know I can’t prove anything and I’m not trying to convince anyone here, but this incident has stuck in my mind and will never leave.

When I was flying back home, I realized that I probably would never see my dad alive again. The sorrow of that fact led to tears which were replaced by joy when my thoughts came to the great realization that I would one day see my dad again in eternity!  Why?  Because he had made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior!

A wonderful thing happened soon after my visit. My dad improved a lot and was able to get out of bed and into a wheelchair. He had two last wishes. He wanted to take a ride in  his antique convertible car and sit in his favorite chair to watch TV in the living room. He did both and much more in the month of March!

 

Photo:  Dad with his antique car ( in the 1970’s – I think).

I saw this as a reprieve, sent by God!

If you had seen how bad my dad looked when I visited him in January, you would never have believed that he would have lived another 4 1/2 months!

My dad died on May 30, 1995 at around 9 a.m. in the morning.

My entire family went back for the funeral. I was asked to speak at the podium during the funeral.  I was sobbing so bad on the day before as I wrote down some notes to share, so I was led to pray to God for strength to get through my comments at the funeral without crying.  My notes included celebrating his life, sharing funny anecdotes, praising him for his stance as a member of the WWII Greatest Generation in the military, his devotion and love for our family, his great work ethic, his self-taught talent in art, his love for singing and performing in plays when he was young, his love for antique cars,  and his willingness and enthusiasm to attend the sports events of all three kids over the years.  I ended my comments by sharing his decision about Christ.   About that  prayer  that I could get through speaking without crying?  God came through for me and granted my request!

As the years passed by, I would come back and visit my Mom in N.J. at least once a year, sometimes with kids in tow.  In later years, I would come back alone.

I still had the question of who “Joe” was.  My Mom gave me dozens of photo albums, some of which included military photos of my Dad and his buddies.  They were meticulously placed in the old fashioned type of photo albums that had slots for the four edges of each photo.  The names of all of the people in the pictures were neatly written below each photo.  However, in these particular albums, not one of the photos had “Joe” written in them.

Well, during a subsequent visit to the house in late 2011, I found an album that I had not seen before.  I opened it up, and lo and behold, there were several yellowed photos from my dad’s military service days and the name of “Joe” was written beneath them!  I was astonished and grateful at the same time!  Finally, I found confirmation about the “Joe” that I think my Dad may have seen and spoke to on that afternoon back in January, 1995!  I got out my iPhone and took pictures of the photos.

 

Photo:  Military buddies.  Joe is on the far left.  My dad is on the far right (with cigarette in mouth).

 

 

 

Photo:  Joe

 

All of these special and unique incidences, including when the Holy Spirit of God guided me to witness for Jesus Christ with my Dad when he was so ill, and the surprising time I witnessed my Dad talking with “Joe” (while I couldn’t see Joe) in the family room of my childhood home; as well as when the Holy Spirit guided me through the funeral service speech without crying are three times in my life where my faith became steadfast and solidified. I know that the Lord Jesus Christ is real, is exactly who He says He is, and that as a confessed, forgiven, and  redeemed believer of Him,  I  KNOW that He is with me through it all…no matter WHAT happens in life.

I truly believe that experiences such as these are gifts from God designed to increase our faith. It was in the midst of my father’s impending death that I was given these gifts. At the same time, my father was given the gift of  salvation, as well as a gift of reprieve to do the two things that he really wanted to do on this earth before he went to be with the Lord.   Despite his bed-ridden condition, God answered his call for a reprieve so he could enjoy those two earthy gifts.

Praise God for these gifts because they are even more evidence of His glory!

When my time comes, there will be a joyful reunion with my dad in heaven!

Once I started sharing these facts with other Christian believers, they often would reveal to me that they also had similar experiences about their loved ones who had passed on!   I say similar, because each and every one is completely unique. These experiences speak to the heart, mind, soul and spirit of the individual(s) that it was meant for!

Our God is a God of individual salvation, as well. No two conversion testimonies are ever alike, either! That is why each and every one of us must come to the cross of Christ individually, and answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?”

 

Jhn 3:16

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The “world” in Greek means:

world,

g2889
κόσμος kosmos

The “cosmos” includes everything that is to be redeemed…including every single human being that ever lived on this earth! The forgiveness given through repentance of sin via Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and subsequent resurrection from the dead is big enough to cover all!

I pray, dear reader, that you will consider God’s provision for YOUR salvation!

God bless,
Christine

Why Do I Believe In Jesus Christ?

I could call this essay my “very late Easter” post since I didn’t create a post about it this year.  However, I decided to bring a comment from a previous post up here so that more people (hopefully) will see and read it.  This blogment (a new word describing a comment becoming a blog post) was in response to GMPilot’s displeasure that I “quote the Bible” at him.  Well…after all, I am a Christian and I study the Bible!  What else would one expect in my responses?  This blog was originally created to share the Gospel of Christ, along with exposing the destructive social and political issues of our time.  The goals of this blog are written at the top of the page:

Talk Wisdom’s goal is to defend the tenets and values of Biblical Christian faith. We defend our Constitutional Republic and Charters of Freedom, especially when speaking out against destructive social and political issues. As followers of our Savior and Lord, we should boldly stand up for Jesus Christ in our present circumstances. He is our Savior, Lord, and King, and His love needs to be shed abroad in our hearts and in our world – now.

I have been asked, “why do I believe in Jesus Christ?” by a few people in my life.  Admittedly, it is often difficult to communicate all that I would love to tell them without leaving something important out of the explanation.  I think that my response to GM (below) is a work in progress.  It helps me to explain to non-believers examples of the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, (which were written in the Old Testament, hundreds of years before Christ’s birth, ministry, death and resurrection to life); all of which cement my faith in Jesus as being the true Messiah who was, and is, and is to come.

Here is my response to Mr. Pilot:

Hmmm…seems you dislike being quoted the Bible. You certainly are not alone in such an offense. Those who hate Christianity, the Cross of Calvary, and Jesus Christ himself have their own humanistic reasons for thinking such beliefs are offensive.

 

Well, here are some reasons why:

 

1. Offense

Isa 8:14

He will be as a sanctuary,
But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense
To both the houses of Israel,
As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Mat 16:23

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Mat 18:7

“Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

Rom 9:33

As it is written:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” [fn]

1Pe 2:8

and

“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.” [fn]
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

 

2.  However, the Bible also reveals why those who belong to Christ do not find offense to the gospel:

Hos 5:15

I will return again to My place
Till they acknowledge their offense.
Then they will seek My face;
In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”

Rom 5:15

But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.

Rom 5:16

And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.

Rom 5:18

Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

Rom 5:20

Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

Phl 1:10

that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

 

3.  Because of sin and the refusal to repent, those who do not accept the great gift of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross are bitter because they are perishing:

2Co 4:3

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,

 

4.  It is a spiritual renewal taking place in the believer:

2Co 4:16

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

 

5.  The resentment of those who despise the Gospel is clear when they become reviled at the cross of Christ and the salvation of believers:

2Co 2:15

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

1Co 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

 

6.  Jesus told us that unregenerate man would hate us, just as they hated Him first:

Jhn 15:18

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

Jhn 15:25

“But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’ [fn]

[The above verse is a fulfillment of prophecy]

Psa 69:4

Those who hate me without a cause
Are more than the hairs of my head;
They are mighty who would destroy me,
Being my enemies wrongfully;
Though I have stolen nothing,
I still must restore it.

 

7.  You see, Jesus Christ is both the offspring and root of David.

Rev 22:16

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

 

8.  Therefore, many of the Psalms apply to both David at the time written, but also Christ in the future.

 

9.  Many more such prophecies are found in Isaiah.

One example:

Isa 7:10

Moreover the LORD spoke again to Ahaz, saying,

Isa 7:11

“Ask a sign for yourself from the LORD your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above.”

Isa 7:12

But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD!”

Isa 7:13

Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also?

Isa 7:14

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. [fn]

Isa 7:15

“Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good.

 

10.  Another example of prophesy about Christ in Psalms:

Psa 22:16

For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced [fn] My hands and My feet;

Psa 22:17

I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me.

Psa 22:18

They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.

 

11.  And, the fulfillment of the Scripture:

Mat 27:35

Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, [fn] that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet:

“They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.” [fn]

Jhn 19:24

They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says:

“They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.” [fn]
Therefore the soldiers did these things.

 

12.  Another example of prophecy written in Psalms, and fulfilled by Jesus:

Psa 34:20

He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.

Jhn 19:36

For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” [fn]

 

13.  And then, when Jesus was resurrected from the dead and appeared before the disciples, he stated:

Luk 24:39

“Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

Jhn 15:24

“If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.

 

14.  Despite all of the miracles Jesus did to show the Jews that He is their Messiah, they still refused to believe in Him.

 

15.  Jesus knew of this betrayal

 

16.  They were a faithless and perverse nation. Sounds a lot like today.

Luk 9:41

Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”

 

17.  But those who repent and turn to Christ, even at the last minute in their eternal lives will be saved.

Luk 23:39

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, [fn] save Yourself and us.”

Luk 23:40

But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?

Luk 23:41

“And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”

Luk 23:42

Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, [fn] remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

Luk 23:43

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Entire account of this here.

Jhn 19:28

After this, Jesus, knowing [fn] that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”

Jhn 19:30

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

 

18.  But praise God, that’s not the end of the story!

Mat 28:6

“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Mat 28:7

“And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

Mar 16:6

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.

Luk 24:6

“He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,

Rom 8:34

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

 

19. Ultimately, being a Christian is about being redeemed and forgiven!

 

20.  I pray that each person who reads this post seriously considers their answer when Jesus asks them:

21.   Who do you say that I am?

Mat 16:15

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Mar 8:29

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

Luk 9:20

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

Image Credit: http://www.sunnyshell.org/2013/02/ jesus-christ-sympathizer-or-savior.html

Do Not Be Afraid

Update 5/15/14

This post went to drafts, untitled, yesterday.  It is amazing how events transpired afterwards, which gave this post even more meaning and a choice for the title!  Read on to see why.

~ Christine

Jesus stated in John 14:27:

 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

 

My post that was started and written 5/14/14:

While trying to recall the name and artist of a beautifully encouraging song that  I had heard yesterday, I just happened to click on what is trending as “most popular” on You tube.   There, was a video in that category which showed a democratic representative from Florida picking dirt and wax from his ear and eating it. It had over 900,000 views! Maybe kids in 5th grade might be enthralled with such a thing, but 900,000 views?

I find that when I don’t watch much news or cruddy TV shows, movies, or reality shows, my mind enjoys what Scripture describes in this beautiful Bible verse:

Phl 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

While channel surfing last evening, I ran across a show called, “True Tori.” It’s a reality show about Tori Spelling and her cheating husband Dean McDermott. Why would anyone in their right mind devise a TV show that spatters all of their dirty laundry, while making the claim to want to “save” their marriage? It could only be for the money.

I feel bad for the kids of selfish, narcissistic, screwed up celebrities that do such things for the sake of grabbing public attention (and money!) in order to keep them “relevant.” One day, this particular  couple’s  four children are going to grow up and the videos of these fighting and cursing parents will live on through eternity.  What a sad state of affairs!

I like to celebrate good, working, ambitious, creative, and loving people! Those who have, and associate with  such great family members and friends KNOW how wonderful it is to have God as their cornerstone in life. Such joy can’t help but rub off onto their children, extended family members, friends, and acquaintances.

I truly believe that people can’t accomplish such a life on their own. We all need God first, family second, and job third in order for our lives to truly flourish in goodness, mercy, and grace.

Update 5/15/14

I started this blog post yesterday. I could not recall the name of the song, nor the artist’s name! I did a search for “all Christian music artists,” but still could not find Tanner Clark’s name!

Then…the fires started here in North County, San Diego! Our little town literally became surrounded by 7 fires all around us! I was glued to the TV, following the progression of each of the fires. When the one right next door to us – just a few miles away began burning – we packed up for possible evacuation if the wind shifted and brought the fire our way!

While I was packing, I looked in my closet and tried to decide which clothes to pack. I thought about losing much of what was in my closet if (heaven forbid!) our house burned down. I picked up the newest items that I had purchased.  I was sure to pack my Mother’s Day gifts from my adult children! And as I threw some items into my suitcase, Tanner Clark’s song came back to me!  Below you will find the music video. I sang it to myself throughout the day and found it very comforting. Made me realize that life isn’t made up of “things” because what’s most important is God and His Son, Jesus Christ in my life!  Plus, add in the love of my family and friends! Who could want or need more?

With Jesus in my life, there is no need to be afraid!

 

Keep Speaking “Your” Truth?

 

Admittedly, it was a bit challenging for me to choose a title for this post.  The various discussions, therein, includes many subtopics that could be utilized for the post title.  However, I thought that the one chosen encompasses them all quite well.

Posting Christian faith information on a blog can often get a writer into trouble.  Why?  Because those who do not believe that the Bible is true and that Jesus Christ is exactly who he said he is – the Son of God, crucified Savior and risen Lord – will claim that the Bible isn’t God-breathed truth and/or that man doesn’t need to confess and repent for their sins at the foot of Christ’s cross at Calvary.   Nor would such a person agree that he or she needs this Savior – Jesus Christ – in order to be reconciled back unto God.

In today’s world, religious pluralism is considered good, but biblical absolutism is crammed into the minds of many by the politically correct crowd as “discriminatory,” “uncompromising,” and in some cases, just plain “bigoted.”  But these are all terms and conditions thought up by man, which inevitably (and, unfortunately) locks them into bitter feuds over “religion,” rather than reasoned faith discussions.

Take “guru” Deepak Chopra, for example.  In an article from yesterday’s San Diego Tribune newspaper, the online title chosen by the writer states: Deepak Chopra Chasing His Demons. Interestingly, the title in the printed copy reads: “Guru Chopra Still Searches For Meaning – New Age celebrity seems absolutely certain of his beliefs, but still questions own identity.” The sentence written under a photo of him states, “Deepak Chopra has been locked in bitter feuds with skeptical scientists and writers.”

I am reminded of several posts that I wrote regarding Deepak Chopra at my former Talk Wisdom blog. One of the best debates that I have ever seen was between Christian Apologist Greg Koukl and New Age Guru, Deepak Chopra. Unfortunately, the video at that link is no longer available. [I will continue to search for it and include the new link here when I find it.]

[Update: I found an 8 minute segment of the debate HERE or here:]

What was so great about it is the fact that both men were cordial to each other. Yet, Mr. Koukl’s arguments completely demolished Mr. Chopra’s. Why? Because one included reasonable faith ideas while the other, Chopra’s views, were a mish-mash of human ideas about faith.

Here is a 36 second video where an audience member at one of Chopra’s events “reasoned out” against only one of Deepak’s claims:

[Note: If the video doesn’t work here, view it on You Tube Deepak Chopra Gets Owned.]

Now, the video poster states that it wasn’t his intention to “mock” Chopra. He wanted to show the logical fallacies of what he stated previously at the event.

I have found a video of the last five minutes of the debate between Greg Koukl and Deepak Chopra:

[Note: If video doesn’t work here, go to You Tube and view it HERE]

My comment when I first saw this [entire] debate:

This broadcast was absolutely fabulous! Greg Koukl pointed out the fact that people can have differing beliefs regarding faith, but that it is logically impossible for them all to be true at the same time. His trust in Jesus Christ and God’s Word stood in direct contrast to Deepak Chopra who admitted “embracing his uncertainty.” Koukl’s view demonstrates a steadfast and true faith where Chopra’s view can only lead to theological oblivion.

~ Christine

In the newspaper version of the UT Tribune article, the writer included the following opinion about Deepak Chopra:

 

‘People have no idea what he is talking about,’ critic says.

Ouch!!!

But, I guess such criticism doesn’t hurt that bad, especially since Deepak Chopra has made millions on the sales of dozens of books he has written. Apparently, it is appealing to people when Chopra states that he “embraces his uncertainty.”

When it comes to religious beliefs, it is often viewed as “taboo” to be certain in one’s own beliefs. Our current world really likes the concept of “everyone doing what is right in their own eyes.” However, the Bible tells us the opposite! We are instructed by the God-breathed text about what is right and what is wrong, what constitutes sin, evil, and death vs. what is holy, good, and brings eternal life. But that can be the topic of another blog post. For now, lets take a brief, but powerful glimpse into looking at what “speaking your own truth” vs. speaking the truth of the Bible can mean for mankind.

What do you think it means when someone quips, “keep speaking your truth”? Does it mean that there are several different “truths” out there? If so, my question is, how can they all be correct at the same time?

The third question above is similar to what Christian Apologist Greg Koukl asked New Age guru Deepak Chopra on a recent episode of “Faith Under Fire.” But like many other non-believers of the Christian faith, Chopra attempted to trap Greg with the question. This is the question which, inevitably, most Christian apologists are asked.

However, this particular question is not asked in order to find the truth. Nope. It is more often asked as a mechanism to trap the Christian while engaging in debate. You see, if someone words a question right, they can win any debate.

Dr. Chopra asked the question during his debate with Koukl. It was a classic case in point. In fact, I have heard Larry King ask this very same question several times, especially when interviewing Christian evangelists like Billy Graham. Dennis Prager has asked Greg this question when he was a guest on his radio program. What is the question?

Here’s the question, as was presented in Chopra’s own words on the “Faith Under Fire” episode: “Then you’re saying that people who don’t believe just like you are going to Hell?”

Fortunately, Greg was able to share that this wasn’t the point that he was making. Greg’s point was different. Since Chopra and he were grappling with serious issues no one could avoid – God, truth, salvation, eternity – everything rides on their answers.

Their discussion wasn’t idle banter. Ideas have consequences. Everyone is inevitably involved and eternity is at stake. If Chopra is right and Koukl is wrong, he loses. If the reverse, Chopra loses – and so does everyone who reads his books, attends his seminars, or watches this debate and believes what Chopra says.

Second, Dr. Chopra’s goal was not to clarify a theological point. In the course of this debate it was obvious that he was losing ground, so he offered up a challenge he hoped would tip Greg off balance, with the goal being to discredit Greg with the audience.

I watched this debate and saw this as it happened. It was so obvious to me that Chopra was attempting to gain “debating points” rather than addressing the true, serious issues being discussed (i.e. God, truth, salvation, eternity).

If Greg had answered directly – “Yes, people who don’t believe just like me are going to Hell” – the debate would have been over. Chopra’s query would have succeeded at painting Greg with an ugly stereotype, and he knew it.

People wouldn’t have heard, through Greg, this important exchange about faith and truth, the voice of Jesus calling all men to repentance, offering reprieve and rescue from a judgment they will all face. Instead, they would hear exactly what Chopra intended them to hear: conceit and condescension, an ideologue wishing people into Hell simply because they disagreed with him.

Are you involved in Christian apologetics? Does this sound familiar to you?

This confrontation between Koukl and Chopra taught me a lot! It taught me that “the” question misses the point. It taught me that I need to tell them everything is at stake and everyone is at risk, including you and me!

Each of us will have to stand before God and give an account. That’s the reality, and it’s not good news because we are all guilty in the final analysis!

But there is another reality that is good news. God has provided clemency if anyone accepts the pardon He offers through Jesus Christ. What could possibly be better than the kindest mercy of all – complete forgiveness instead of the punishment that we all would deserve?

This encounter between Koukl and Chopra taught me that I can sidestep the traps set by skeptics and scoffers while still telling the truth. If you are a Christian and are reading this I’m sure that you can relate that this is not always easy. Jesus’ claim that “Unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins (John 8:24)” is less popular now than ever. As ambassadors for Christ, we must be prepared to clarify Jesus’ point.

This encounter between Koukl and Chopra taught me not to let anyone twist the truth. Whether they do it subtly with semi-flattering words like, “keep speaking your truth”; in other words, “that’s true for you but not for me”; or whether they do it more directly in order to paint you or I as a conceited, condescending, sterotypical ideologue in front of others with their main purpose being so that they can discredit you or me.

Hat tips to all links.