Atheism is Not a Religion, But…

Atheism is not a religion, but it is a world-view, and as a world-view it takes on many of the attributes of religion.

1) Seeking Converts

Atheists want everyone to believe as they do and are continuously trying to convert people to their world-view. If you don’t agree, think of Bill Maher, the late Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, that guy with the bow-tie who does kid’s shows, and all the guys on Youtube.

2) Controlling Politics

Atheists want their people in office to create policies which favour the atheistic world-view.

3) Punishing the Heretics

If you are not an atheist, you are not welcome in their society.

4) Preaching Salvation

Salvation comes through atheistic/humanistic moralism and science.

Religious people and atheists do all these things alike. This is why people will say that atheism is a religion. Sure, atheists don’t worship a super-natural being, but they do worship something. We all worship something.

Make Your Own Air Conditioner

Here is a cheap and easy way to make your own air conditioner. Now of course it’s not going to work nearly as good as a professionally manufactured machine, but if you’re looking for an inexpensive way to cool down a small room, or something to help you sleep in the summer time, this will work pretty good.

You need to buy one of those coolers only made of styrofoam, and also a 10″ fan. It’s easiest if you get a fan where the controls are mounted on the fan casing and not the base; that way you can remove the base of the fan. Then find some 3″ or 4″ PVC pipe (you only need about a 8″ long piece).

First, cut a hole in the lid of the cooler big enough for your fan to rest on, facing down so that in blows into the cooler. Not too big that the fan falls through obviously.

Then cut two holes for two pieces of PVC to stick into, each piece being about 4 inches long. Cut the holes on the same side of the cooler and keep the holes close to the top.

Now fill the cooler with ice or frozen water bottles, put the lid on, and set the fan over the hole. That’s it, you’re done.

Like I said, this air conditioner will not work nearly as good as a professionally made machine, but it’s much better than just a fan which will only blow hot air in the middle of summer. After I made this air conditioner I put it into a small bedroom and let it run. After an hour I checked on it and the room was noticeably cooler, and I live in Cambodia where at this time of year it’s scorching hot (daily avg. 38°C/100°F)!

N.T. Wright’s Justification (Book Review)

This book is written in response to John Piper’s book “The Future of Justification”, which I have not yet read. You do not have to read Piper’s book in order to understand or enjoy Wright’s book.

The whole debate is about the “New Perspective of Paul”, a debate I do not fully understand, although this book helps a lot. From what I can gather, the arguments center around what Paul was really talking about when he was describing salvation in terms of God’s faithfulness and righteousness. The Old Perspective focuses on the individual’s salvation and little else, while the New Perspective says there is more going on than that: a greater purpose which looks at the overarching salvation plan of God including Old Testament Israel.

It seems like it is an “either/or” argument when it should be “both/and”. God both saves the individual sinner through the work of Christ and is creating a special people for Himself who will one day inherit the new heavens and the new earth.

I do recommend the book.

Here’s a video of N.T. Wright explaining the book himself…

The Great Tribulation

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolate is near.
~Luke 21:20

Here is a good documentary/drama of the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 70.

Coming or Going?

Sometimes we assume something because we don’t know all the facts and we don’t take the time to investigate. We often read scripture and make the same mistake — especially when we’re dealing with the end-times.

Consider this passage:

“And the high priest arose and said to (Jesus), ‘Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?’ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, ‘I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!’

Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.’

Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, ‘He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!’”
~Matthew 26:62-65

It’s easy to think that Jesus is talking about His second coming here. But look at how offended the high priest was at what Jesus said. The high priest knew nothing of Jesus’ second coming. But, the high priest knew very well what Jesus was saying here. And it offended the high priest so much that he tore his own clothes — something he was commanded not to do (Leviticus 21:10).

Jesus was quoting two Old Testament passages, and the high priest would have known exactly what Jesus was saying as he, the high priest, was an expert in scripture.

“The Lord (the Father) said to my Lord (Jesus), 
‘Sit at My right hand, 
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’

The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. 
Rule in the midst of Your enemies!”
~Psalm 110:1-2

“‘I was watching in the night visions, 
And behold, One like the Son of Man (Jesus), 
Coming with the clouds of heaven! 
He came to the Ancient of Days (the Father), 
And they brought Him near before Him.

Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, 
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. 
His dominion is an everlasting dominion, 
Which shall not pass away, 
And His kingdom the one 
Which shall not be destroyed.’”
~Daniel 7:13-14

Jesus “coming on the clouds” is not referring here to His second coming, but rather His ascension and coronation as King (He came to the Ancient of Days, not to the earth). And notice what was given to Jesus at that time: dominion, all peoples, all nations, and all languages. That happened two thousand years ago. Jesus rules now as King at the Father’s right hand.

And how long will He rule in heaven as King?

“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His (second) coming. Then comes the end, when He (Jesus) delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He (Jesus) must reign till He (the Father) has put all enemies under His (Jesus’) feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For ‘He (the Father) has put all things under His (Jesus’) feet.’ But when He (the Father) says ‘all things are put under Him (Jesus),’ it is evident that He (the Father) who put all things under Him (Jesus) is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him (Jesus), then the Son Himself (Jesus) will also be subject to Him (the Father) who put all things under Him (Jesus), that God may be all in all.”
~1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Jesus is ruling in heaven now and will continue to rule from heaven until God the Father puts all of Christ’s enemies under Christ’s feet. And the last enemy will be death itself. And it is at Jesus’ second coming when all people, saved and unsaved, will be resurrected and judged (John 5:26-29). Then Jesus will hand the kingdom over to His Father.