2
3
4
5
6
It’s usually the Americans who claim
that their nation was established upon the
rock bed of Christianity, but could the same
ever be said for Canada? For the majority of
our younger teens, it is a common belief that
our nation was always a secular domain, a
home for a diversity of faiths, and the
breeding ground for postmodernistic thought.
It was made clear in their educational
systems that all religions and worldviews
find themselves equal in truthfulness, and
that no individual had the right to claim one
worldview as the only and absolute truth.
However, when we look back at Canadian
history, we see a much different story.
Much like America, Canada was also
established upon the rock bed of Christianity,
and evidence still remains of its previous
state as a “nation under God.” In 1921, the
Canadian coat of arms was officially
approved with the national motto “A Mari
Usque Ad Mare.” 1 The motto is Latin for
“From sea to sea”, making direct reference to
Psalm 72:8. The psalm states “He shall have
dominion also from sea to sea, and from the
river to the ends of the earth,” particularly
referring to God’s sovereignty over all
things. In fact, the motto came into effect in
1906, before the rendering of the coat of
arms. It was directly approved by the Order
in Council on the 21st of April in 1921, along
with the Royal Proclamation that same
November.2
To further build the case for Canada’s
cultural relevance to the Christian faith is the
1 (CCHeritage 2010) 2 Ibid
7
updated coat of arms, which sports a ribbon
with the following Latin phrase,
“Desiderantes meliorem patriam”.3 When
translated, this comes to mean “They desire a
better country”, making another direct
reference to Hebrews 11:16 which states
“But now they desire a better, that is, a
heavenly country...” There is no doubt that
our founding fathers were so moved by their
faith in God that their desire was to see a
devout nation under God. To make it even
more blatantly clear, July 1st was originally
called “Dominion Day.” It was the day where
every Canadian citizen
and resident would
acknowledge God’s
sovereignty over the
nation of Canada. It
was not an act of
forced will, but rather
a willing spirit, desiring for a better country
under God’s divine direction.
More historical information is available
on Christianity’s relevance to Canadian
culture, but what astonishes the informed
public is the development of an
unrecognizable Canada from that of a near-
century ago. The face of our nation has
changed with the times, and as times have
changed, so have the people. This could not
have been more evident than in the decision
to pass a private members bill on October
27th of 1982, changing July 1
st from
“Dominion Day” to “Canada Day.” Its
approval without debate passed within five
minutes, and also went on to receive royal
assent.4 It was the government of Canada and
its people saying “no more” to God and the
Christian worldview, “no more” to Christian
3 Ibid 4 Ibid
values and principles. And as a result of the
expulsion of “God” from government, no
longer do the citizens desire a better country,
but a more tailored-fit nation to satisfy their
own selfish aspirations.
Should we then be surprised with the
latest developments? Abortions were initially
illegal, but that quickly changed in 1969.5
Same sex marriages weren’t legally
acceptable either, but that also changed in
2005.6 Brothels, a designated location for
prostitution, were also illegal, but that
changed quite recently
in 2012.7 These social
and legal developments
are driven by the hearts
of men, they reveal the
nature of human
behaviour, and they
also demonstrate what
a nation will turn to when “God” is pushed
aside, out of the greater picture.
Having witnessed the progression of
society and its moral degradation, there has
also been an alarming reaction from the
Christian church. The collective majority
have either sought to become relative with
the current culture (nearly becoming one with
pagan culture), or isolated themselves into
communities where their convictions are kept
quiet from the public view. When a nation
has lost its way, it is the responsibility of the
church to turn a nation back to God.
There have been many Christian activists
protesting controversial laws found in
violation of biblical values and principles,
5 (Federation 2010) 6 (Makarenko 2007) 7 (Humphreys 2012)
8
and while the efforts of these men and
women are admirable, they are in vain if they
fail to change the hearts of men. Laws can be
changed throughout time, they may pass as
legislation or be overturned as seen fit, but
they are ultimately driven and defined by
their own people. Hence we find ourselves in
the postmodern perspective that morality is
relative, and that no absolute moral standard
exists. Yet when our founding fathers
contributed to the
national establishment
of Canada, they knew
and understood that
there was an absolute
moral law, and hence a
moral law giver, and it
was that moral law giver that was recognized
and honored as sovereign over our nation.
If we want to change a nation, it begins
with prayer, evangelism and discipleship.
The necessity of personal evangelism has
never been a more urgent matter than in our
current times. It is after all the law of God
that convicts the heart of man, reveals to man
what sin is, and directs us to the one who can
not only forgive us, but place us in right
standing with God again.
The truth can never be made clearer; it is
winning the hearts of men that brings about
effective and long-lasting
change, not vain man-
made efforts. The task at
hand is not to make God
or the Christian message
relevant to our Canadian
culture, but rather to make
Canadian culture relevant to God and the
Christian message. This is what E&AM
strives for, and this should be the everyday
task of the Canadian church.
Steven Richard Martins
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @StevenRMartins
Bibliography
CCHeritage. Confederation, National Symbols and Emblems. December 4, 2010.
http://www.ccheritage.ca/facts/#confederation (accessed December 08, 2012).
Federation, National Abortion. Legal Abortion in Canada. 2010. http://www.prochoice.org/canada/legal.html
(accessed December 01, 2011).
Humphreys, Adrian. Prostitution Legalized. March 06, 2012.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/03/26/ontario-court-of-appeal-greenlights-brothels-sweeps-aside-many-of-
canadas-anti-prostitution-laws/ (accessed December 05, 2012).
Makarenko, Jay. Same Sex Marriage in Canada. January 1, 2007.
http://www.mapleleafweb.com/features/same-sex-marriage-canada (accessed December 02, 2011).
9
Why Christianity? The question is not
only an important one but an essential
inquiry for any honest thinker. Actually, the
question “Why (insert worldview)” is one
that every person must answer. It is critical
that we know why we put our faith in a
particular philosophy, for it is from our
worldview that we make important decisions
regarding our lives.
But then the famous question I am often
asked is, why Christianity? Why is this world
view true and the others false? Well there are
many different lines of evidence one can
explore, such as: (1) the evidence supporting
biblical text, (2) the evidence for the
resurrection, (3) philosophical arguments for
the existence of God, (4) biblical prophecy
and Jesus’ ministry.
These can all be studied and can all
provide satisfactory answers, but whenever
we’re exploring multiple lines of evidence,
we must apply them to the tests of truth.
Philosophers have given us three tests by
which we can validate or rebuke truth claims
for our own investigation. The first is the test
of logical consistency.8 Does the claim hold
any integrity OR is it methodically
contradictory? The second is empirical
adequacy,9 is there any evidence which
supports the claim, or does it stand
unverified? The last test is experiential
relevance,10
is the claim relevant to life?
These tests can be explored more thoroughly
in personal study for those interested. It is
these tests that must be applied to
Christianity and to all other worldviews to
determine their validity, and I can assure you
that Christianity can and will pass these tests.
Despite all the truth tests, there is one
Christian claim that requires special
attention. When one asks “Why
Christianity?” the simplest answer I can give
is that the Christian faith provides the most
accurate reflection of reality. The bible does
not tell us that the world is a wonderful
perfect place, because it’s not. The bible does
not tell us that the world is the definition of
disaster, because it’s not. The bible does
8 (California State University 2012) 9 (Hricko 2007) 10 (Zacharias 2008)
10
however tell us that the world has fallen quite
short of perfection, which given our mental
perceptions of perfection is... quite true.
Jesus Christ digs even deeper into this notion.
His answer is surprising, and quite
controversial, but worthy of speculation. He
does not tell us that the problem with
humanity is that we lack discipline, education
or resources. He does not tell us “If only you
try harder and longer you will get it”, but
rather He tells us that our problem is our
heart, it’s wicked and we thus have a
disposition to lean towards sin. For most of
us that is quite relatable. No matter how hard
we desire to do good, sooner or later we do
something that we ought not to have done.
Christ addresses that, that no matter how hard
we try, we still fail to be righteous by our
own merit, we continuously fall short. He
doesn’t end it there though.
Christ, through the moral law, shows us
that our faces are dirty, but he also gives us a
way to wash ourselves clean. He takes the
penalty that we, as repeat offenders of the
moral law, deserve. He decides to take it
upon Himself on the cross to wipe away our
iniquities. You see, although we cannot find
righteousness from within ourselves, we can
obtain it from He who is righteous and who
offers us the forgiveness of sins.
So we are left with the question, “Why
Christianity?” Christianity passes the tests of
truth and it gives us the most accurate
representation of reality. It also offers us
forgiveness, redemption from our
lawlessness, and the promise of eternity in
the presence of God.
Truth be told, when you’ve really blown
it, only your repentance and faith in Christ
can reconnect you to the One who created us
all. God’s forgiveness is available to all those
who seek it, will you seek Him today? As the
apostle Paul stated, “For by grace you have
been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8,
NKJV).
Jiwan Dhaliwal
Email: [email protected]
Bibliography
California State University. Logical Consistency and Contradiction. 2012.
http://www.csus.edu/indiv/m/mayesgr/phl4/Handouts/phl4contradiction.htm (accessed December 23,
2012).
Hricko, Jonathon. Empirical Adequacy & Vagueness. February 2007.
http://wien.jhu.edu/hricko/EmpiricalAdequacyAndVagueness.pdf (accessed December 23, 2012).
Zacharias, Ravi. The End of Reason. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.
11
12
Although you may have never found
yourself in a philosophical or theological
debate regarding the problem of evil, you
more than likely have heard about it.
Whether it be after a serious tragedy like the
9/11 hijackings, or for something little like
the printer jamming, you may have heard
someone blurt “How can there be a
wonderful loving God when there is so much
evil in the world?” That is the main question
concerning the problem of evil and suffering.
Many proclaim that God cannot co-exist
in a world filled with evil, or at least not the
God we know to be all powerful and loving,
but perhaps some other god. This appears to
be a good argument at face-value, but this
view foolishly rushes an attack on God’s
omni-benevolence and omnipotence, it fails
to adhere to some sort of theodicy. For those
unfamiliar to the term, a theodicy is a defense
of God and His character while still
accepting the presence of evil in the world. In
short, valid theodicies do exist. You could
stop reading here and have comfort in
knowing that there is an explanation, but I
will delve into these theodicies nonetheless
for your benefit.
Let us say that after a long day’s work, a
man stops by the local bar to unwind and
unexpectedly sees his wife. Yet, there is
another man with her and she kisses this
stranger unaware of her husband’s presence.
Caught red-handed, the wife confesses that
she was cheating on her husband. A few days
following, the media reports the death of the
man with whom she was cheating. Two
wrongs have been done in this story. First
was the adulterous act of cheating, and
secondly there was the vengeful murder
against the other man. Both of these evils
were committed using volitional (free) will.
Whether free will is used here in a Calvinistic
or Arminian11
sense, it is still irrefutable that
human actions bear consequences, good or
bad. We must keep in mind that humans were
designed to have free will, but not to use it in
such matters.
If we are to follow the biblical account of
creation, in the book Genesis we find the
11
Calvinism and Arminianism are differentiating
viewpoints on the doctrines of election,
predestination, foreknowledge, free will etc. If you
are a believer, you fall on either side of the
spectrum or in between. I suggest you take a
moment to research these views at a basic level if you are unfamiliar with them.
13
world to be without sin and chaos before the
fall. Yet, using volitional (free) will, both
Adam and Eve fell due to their disobedience
against their Creator. Through this we see
that with free will we have the power to do
good, but it naturally and necessarily follows
that we can also do evil if we so choose.
Some may question God, “If He knew
this would be a result of the implementation
of free will, why give it?” I, and many others,
would agree that free will is too great a gift
from God to forfeit in our creation, even if it
allows room for evil. How would you feel as
a puppet? Life would be pretty meaningless
for you, would it not? As such, we have
come to a successful theodicy. But this
theodicy only allows for human evil. While
some may accept that such evils are out of
God’s hands, they still attack pain and
suffering caused by natural disasters.
Hurricanes have ravaged several
countries and taking many lives. These
disasters are not a result of human free will,
however. So why does a loving God allow
such occurrences? We have to go back to
Genesis. It states that after the fall, the
ground was cursed. I see this to be a result of
sin in two ways. The easy answer would be
to say that this is simply a punishment from
our God for sinful activity. This is not to be
taken as an evil act by God, but instead as an
act of justice. God’s character is after all
good. Justice is part of this goodness because
evil cannot go unpunished. The other
explanation is that the earth and human
beings are intertwined. This is a conclusion I
came to hereafter, pondering Adam’s
creation from the dust of the earth. This
could mean that any human action of sin
corrupts the earth just as it corrupts the
human soul. In conclusion, the answer is that
it is either a justifiable punishment of God, or
some theological symbolism or connection.
In either case, natural disasters are
explainable, a theodicy is available.
These truths should bring us to the
realization that there is no problem with the
co-existence of God and evil. There simply
needs to be some theodicy available to bridge
the gap. However, there are many more
counter-arguments and theodicies to explore.
C.S. Lewis had this to say in his book Mere
Christianity:
“God created things which had free will.
That means creatures which can go either
wrong or right. Some people think they can
imagine a creature which was free but had
no possibility of going wrong; I cannot. If a
thing is free to be good it is also free to be
bad. And free will is what has made evil
possible. Why, then, did God give them
free will? Because free will, though it
makes evil possible, is also the only thing
that makes possible any love or goodness
or joy worth having” (Lewis, 1952).
Perhaps this article has sparked your
interest to know more about the subject
matter, I suggest looking into it, or contacting
us for a more detailed discussion.
George Neos
Email: [email protected]
Works Cited
Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. New York: Harper Collins, 1952.
14
A business is a corporation, partnership,
or proprietorship, and oftentimes reflects the
values of the principal owners and managers.
Considering this, given the vicious cycle of
our current business world, how would a
business fare if Christian values were
embraced in every sphere? Is it possible that
there may be fewer lawsuits for breached
contracts where commitments weren’t
honored?
The Bible provides us with directions as
to how we ought to conduct our business
ventures, and if we were to follow these
biblical principles, it’s very possible that
many of our current business problems
wouldn’t persist to exist today.
Benefits of Christian Values in Business
The two most common problems that
most businesses are facing in the current
economy are corruption and dishonesty.
There are numerous cases of fraud and theft
against clients, customers, and employees.
Many businesses and politicians have lost
their credibility and valued clients because of
fraudulent dealings, lies, deception and
misleading products. However, the Bible
teaches us the benefits of integrating
Christian values in business. Some of those
core values teach honesty, integrity, and hard
work. In the book of Leviticus 19:35-36[a], it
states “Do not use dishonest standards when
measuring length, weight, or volume. Your
scales and weights must be accurate” (NLT).
In the same book, Leviticus 25:14 states
“When you make an agreement with your
neighbor to buy or sell property, you must
not take advantage of each other” (NLT).
Author, salesman and motivational speaker
Zig Ziglar said, “Ability can take you to the
top, but it takes character to keep you there.”
What you’re buying and selling is in fact the
number of crops you’re going to harvest. The
Bible teaches us that we should not cheat
each other in order to succeed.
Adopting Christian Business Values
If corporate businesses embrace
Christian values in their business dealings,
their business becomes more valuable in
worth. Proverbs 13:11 states “Wealth gained
15
by dishonesty will be diminished,
but he who gathers by labor will increase”
(NKJV). Honesty is the key to good business
practices, and as Scripture states “From the
fruit of his lips a man is filled with good
things as surely as the work of his hands
rewards him” (Prov. 12:14, NIV). To adopt
Christian values in the business world would
mean that clients would have a deeper
appreciation for the corporation and thus
increase its credibility; this in turn brings
forth more customers through word of
mouth. Adopting Christian values opens a
channel for respect, honor and dignity. The
employee in this respect is more appreciated,
and the employer isn’t expected to misuse or
underpay him for his services. In the end,
honesty and justice will prevail.
Another benefit that arises is that a
business’ scope of activities would become
more transparent to the public world. The
value of the client or customer is thus
enhanced, prompting the business dealers to
do their absolute best in satisfying their
clients, which in turn helps to establish a
deeper sense of credibility and reliability for
the corporation. In the end, business turns out
to be more profitable and fulfilling because
all deals offered on the table are clear-cut
straightforward. Christian values mean that
wise decisions are made in business deals,
amongst business partners, in employer and
employee relationships, along with the
different types of services and products that
are also offered by the company.
In conclusion, as King Solomon wisely
observed, “Whether a tree falls to the south
or to the north, in the place where it falls,
there it will lie” (Eccl. 11:3, NIV).
Businesses have a responsibility to ensure
that every product offered and every
interaction with clients and consumers
conforms to a high standard of excellence,
established on sound biblical principles.
When honesty, integrity, and hard work are
implemented, a business can reflect God’s
love and justice in the life of employees,
clients, and customers.
And although it may be true that we may
never fully attain God’s level of perfection in
our dealings, Solomon advised “Whatever
your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all
your might” (Eccl. 9:10). As a result,
successful employees and businesses will
develop a genuine passion for top-quality
service. John Maxwell, a Christian author
and American business leader, sums it up by
saying “Policies are many, principles are few,
policies will change, principles never do.”
Joel Wilson
Email: [email protected]
Bibliography
CNN. And the 'Lie of the Year' Award Goes To . December 13, 2012. http://yourmoney.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/13/and-
the-lie-of-the-year-award-goes-to/ (acc. December 24, 2012).
Emerson, Melinda. 10 Bible Verses Every Small Business Owner Needs. January 08, 2010.
http://succeedasyourownboss.com/01/2010/10-Bible-verses-every-small-business-owner-needs/ (acc. December 22,
2012).
Martinez, Michael. California Pension fund sues Wal-Mart execs over alleged Mexico Bribery. May 04, 2012.
http://cnn.com/2012/05/04/us/california-teacher-pension-fund-wal-mart/index.html (acc. December 22, 2012).
16
The world we live in today is filled with
unbelievable horrors. Whether it’s teenagers
being shot in the mall, estranged individuals
committing suicide, cancer eating away at the
lives of loved ones, or mass genocides
rippling across the world, we live in a world
where the problems of pain and suffering are
real. It is here where the great evangelist
Charles Templeton, close friend of Billy
Graham, left the faith in search of answers.
The question is daunting, it echoes in the
heart of man, “How can God exist in a world
filled with so much pain and suffering?” It is
an age-old question, most notably asked by
the Greek philosopher Epicurus in a much
more aggressive tone:
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not
able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he
able, but not willing? Then he is
malevolent. Is he both able, and willing?
Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither
able nor willing? Then why call him
God?” 12
12
(Halsted, 2012)
These are the charges brought forth by men
throughout history, perplexed by the issues of
our world. But is there truly an answer, an
explanation in the face of anguish? Although
the problems of evil and suffering are
intertwined, they each deserve their own
separate approach. It is worthy however to
consider that given the nature of the topic, it
is nearly impossible to address every
concerning point in one article. The issue is
much larger than that. We can however,
reach a conclusion that the presence of evil
and suffering leaves us a very urgent
message: “Things are not what they ought to
be.”
A Pain-less World
Can you image a pain-free world? A
question I would often ask myself was, “If
we weren’t capable of feeling pain, would
living in this world be easier?” The mass
majority of people simply want to wish away
the pain, the trials, the sufferings, but would
the world truly be a better place? It would
serve us well to examine a case in which this
is a reality, and it begins with a young
woman named Ashlyn Blocker.
17
Ashlyn was born with a rare disease
called congenital insensitivity to pain with
anhidrosis, CIPA in short. This condition
renders Ashlyn with the incapability of
feeling pain or discomfort, something that
perhaps some people would envy. Imagine
working with papers at your workplace and
getting a paper cut, you wouldn’t feel a thing,
or hitting your shin at the corner of your bed
frame, no soreness at all. It sounds great, no
pain, no worries, but the reality is quite
sobering. For the parents of Ashlyn, they are
constantly terrified.
Skimming throughout the news report,
what shocked me the most were the words of
Ashlyn’s mother:
“Some people would say that’s a good
thing (not feeling pain). But no, it’s not...
Pain’s there for a reason. It lets your
body know something’s wrong and it
needs to be fixed. I’d give anything for
her to feel pain.” 13
The truth is that Ashlyn could burn her hand
on a stove and not realize it, bite her tongue
until it bleeds, or have an internal organ
rupture and she wouldn’t have a clue in the
world. It’s reported that the only time Ashlyn
knows when to stop, or when to recognize
something is wrong, is when blood becomes
visible to her.14
It makes you think, that just
as pain can be considered as a sign that
something is wrong with the human body, so
is pain and suffering a sign that there is
something terribly wrong with our world.
The violence, the abuse, the injustice, the
pain, all these things show us the state of our
13
(Associated Press, 2004) 14 Ibid
world, it is quite simply like pain to the
human body, a message for mankind.
The Human Condition
This triggers the question, how did we
get here? The Bible is clear that in the
beginning of time, when God created man
and woman, He created them in the Imago
Dei (Image of God). What does it mean to
have been created in the image of the
sovereign God? It isn’t making a reference to
a physical appearance, but rather to qualities
and attributes. For example, we are beings
capable of seeing, hearing, understanding,
even speaking, all things God is capable of
doing. But taking into consideration that
many animals are also capable of such things,
surely that is not at the core of what God
meant. In accordance with Scripture, it can
be best understood as all that is good (Gal.
5:22-23). We were created to be kind, gentle,
loving, long-suffering, compassionate,
sensitive, humble, pure and righteous. The
difference between us and God? Our
capabilities and capacities are finite
compared to God’s infinite capabilities.
We can then understand that if God is the
highest good, then all good within us finds its
root in Him, but why then is mankind so
evil?
The Fall of Humanity
When Adam and Eve ate from the
forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, they
did more than disobey God’s direct
command, they rebelled against Him.
Scripture records it clearly as the first sin of
the world, a direct violation of God’s
command, the first law. Sin is then defined as
the violation of the law; it is utter lawlessness
18
and rebellion. And when sin entered our
world, it corrupted mankind and distorted the
image we were meant to reflect. Now,
instead of seeing the image of God, we see
fallen humanity, bellowing in its depravity.
This rebellion against God, this
lawlessness from the perfect standard
established by God, has resulted in the world
we live in now. All the death and destruction
in our world is the consequence of sin, we
have become the authors of our own demise.
It can be quite easily said that religion is not
the cause of wars or deaths, it is fallen
humanity.
The Question of Innocence
But the question must be asked, what
about the innocent, the unsuspecting, the
good people who suffer in our world? We
can almost all agree that a good person
doesn’t deserve to suffer injustice, it’s
common sense. Also,
scripture affirms this as
true, it cannot be denied,
but then the question
changes to “Is there
anyone truly good?”
According to the perfect standard, the
Ten Commandments established by God, no
man on earth is good, all have broken the law
of God. It is therefore just, having become
sinners, violators of the law, that we receive
the consequence of death and eternal
damnation.
But what about the children? Many of
them don’t know what is right or wrong. To
be clear, in God’s eyes they are innocent.
They are innocent due to their lack of
knowledge, but this changes once they
become of age, knowing both good and evil.
We are however aware that this doesn’t stop
evil and suffering from claiming hold of a
child. The truth of the matter is, they may
suffer, not because of their own doing, but
because of the sin of others. In many cases,
we can be blamed as individuals for the
wrong that we do and what we suffer, but in
other cases, we cannot be blamed as sole
individuals, but rather as a collective
community. This reveals the sad state of our
world, the human condition, and the moral
depravity of humanity. It leaves us in a very
sobering position; in a world filled with
injustice, evil, pain and suffering, we find
ourselves in desperate need of a Savior.
The Solution to the Human Condition
Take all thirty-nine books of the Old
Testament, and you will find that they all
allude to and point towards a coming Savior
that would wash away the sins of the world, a
Messiah who would redeem
mankind, and reconcile us
with God. All the messianic
prophecies pertaining to the
first coming of Christ were
fulfilled in the life and
ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, approximately
two-thousand years ago.
This Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, the
Christ, the Son of God, still is the solution to
the human condition. He performed miracles,
fulfilled prophecy, prophesied future events
with absolute accuracy, and not only raised
people from the dead but was also raised
Himself from the dead as confirmation of
who He claimed to be.
Jesus explains to us in John chapter three
that His purpose was to save the world. The
19
entire message of the
Bible is summarized in
John 3:16, which states
“For God so loved the
world, that He gave His
one and only Son, that whoever believeth in
Him shall not perish but shall have eternal
life.” The only way mankind could be
redeemed from lawlessness was for God to
send His only Son, to pay the penalty for the
sins of mankind which was death. As a result,
Christ, living a sinless life, having committed
no wrong, died on the Cross for you and me,
to pay a price that no other man could ever
pay. As the apostle Peter put it:
“He never sinned, nor ever deceived
anyone. He did not retaliate when he was
insulted, nor threaten revenge when he
suffered. He left his case in the hands of
God, who always judges fairly. He
personally carried our sins in his body on
the cross so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right” (1 Peter 2:22-
24, NLT).
The Touch of God
What did Jesus Christ do when He
encountered sickness, pain and suffering?
Scripture reveals to us that He healed the
sick, restored sight to the blind, healed the
crippled, the diseased, fed the hungry, and
even raised people from the dead. The
difference between us and Him is this, in the
face of anguish, evil, pain, suffering and
death, we fall, but He rises. Sin has no claim
on Him, evil can’t imprison Him, death can’t
hold Him, sickness retreats rather than
advances, it cannot bear the reality of God.
This is why His death on the cross had an
effect that was unlike any other individual, it
led to our redemption, and
His resurrection was
evidence of that truth.
How fortunate, how
beautiful, how wonderful it must have been
to be one of those who beheld the touch of
God. But most importantly, that reality of
redemption and freedom from what vexes
humanity is available to us today.
Agony on the Cross
When Jesus Christ was crucified on
Mount Golgotha, He was crucified beside
two thieves. Both initially mocked Him, they
were angry with their fates, and even angry at
God. Yet in the final moments of their lives,
there arose a fundamental difference between
the two. One thief continued to mock Christ
up until his death, the other however,
recognized in his greatest moment of pain
and suffering, on the brink of death, that He
needed a Savior.
That thief who repented asked Christ to
“remember me when you come into your
kingdom” (Luke 23:42). It is often in the
times of great trials that we either spit upon
the face of God in anger and rebellion, or fall
at His feet in surrender, acknowledging our
need for a Savior. In the face of anguish, he
found Christ, and as Scripture details for us,
his repentance and desire to be with the Lord
resulted in his salvation.
Who could forget the words of Christ
spoken to the repentant thief? “I tell you the
truth, today you will be with me in paradise”
(Luke 23:43). Although we are not promised
a life without problems, we are promised
victory through life’s trials, comfort in
moments of hardship, and an eternal destiny
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in the presence of God, where there will be
no more suffering.
Will you heed the voice of the Savior today?
Steven Martins
Email: [email protected]
Bibliography
Associated Press. (2004, 11 1). Rare Disease makes Girl unable to feel Pain. Retrieved December 30, 2012,
from NBC News: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6379795/ns/health-childrens_health/t/rare-disease-makes-
girl-unable-feel-pain/#.UODETW_AeM4
Halsted, M. (2012). God and Evil: A Philosophical Contradiction? Retrieved December 30, 2012, from The
Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry: http://carm.org/god-and-evil-a-philosophical-contradiction
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“What you listen to affects who you are, how you think, and what you do.”
– Cindy C.
Some may agree with this quote, others
may not, it’s a common saying often not
realized. The question however that usually
springs up is “how does what we listen to
affect our well-being?” To better illustrate
my points, I have labelled Christian music as
“nurturing music” and secular music as
“starvation music.” Let’s examine this
together.
Christian (nurturing) music was created
with a purpose. That purpose is to exalt God
in his wholeness, and as we worship Him,
His Holy Spirit brings to our hearts love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
(Gal. 5:22-23, NLT). The lyrics we find in
worship songs are actually found to ignite
restoration and revival within our hearts; it’s
designed to bring life to our mind and soul.
In times of trouble, it brings us to rest and
hope in Him who is greater than all things,
increasing our faith and expectation of
greater and better things to come. Songs that
nurture are the ones that fill you completely
from the inside out, so much so that it
overflows, bringing light to where there was
darkness within.
It’s a delight, when you listen to worship
based on sound biblical doctrine, it ministers
to your soul and reveals the purpose of your
life. It is this nurturing music that can help
bring healing to the sick, both in body and
mind. We are reminded of the amazing feats
of men and women of God in the Bible,
where ordinary people believed, fought, and
conquered their giants. This nurturing music
clarifies who you are, it either unveils
whether you’ve been saved and adopted into
God’s family, or whether you’ve lost the
mark and are still in need of salvation.
Worship also points towards God’s
perfect plan for mankind, which is good,
pleasing and perfect (Rom. 12:2), it births
within the joy and hope we have in our
Savior’s coming. All these things and more
we find to nurture the spirit, body and mind;
it is the position where mankind, created as
worshippers, humble themselves and exalt
the Lord Most High. Why? Because He is
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worthy. This is why the seraphim sang
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the
whole earth is full of his glory” (Is. 6:3,
NIV).
Secular (starvation) music has the
opposite effect on your being, it leaves you
dry and thirsty, ultimately unsatisfied.
Throughout the music industry, many
musicians create their music based on pain,
hatred, violence, sexual immorality and
impurity. When you tune in to this music,
you’ll find yourself reliving the past, the
heartbreaks, the pain, the betrayal, the hate
and anger. And although the beats and
rhythms of these songs are very creative, the
message it carries is one which encourages
the living in the here-and-now, a complete
disregard of our eternal futures. They also
warp the minds of listeners, blurring the line
between right and wrong, twisting the truths
of our world, and consequentially influencing
the thoughts and behaviors of its listeners.
Personally, I would recommend that you
test this out yourself, pay more attention to
the songs you’re listening to regularly, and
then examine as to how your behavior has
been influenced by what you hear. It’s also
important to consider that although it may
seem that some of the world’s songs may
nurture you momentarily, the time will come
where you’ll feel empty again. Why?
Because Christian music brings you back to
God, it’s the restoration of our God-given
role as worshippers, while secular music
keeps you walking in circles with no sure
direction.
When it comes to choosing the right
music, I have always said that the most
important components are the lyrics, its
message, and the kind of impact that it would
have on my being. If what I listen to affects
who I am, how I think, and what I do, then I
mustn’t invest time in listening to empty
songs, they’ll lead me to a much deeper
spiritual bankruptcy. My desire is to listen to
songs that nurture the soul, not the flesh,
music that will transform who I am, and for
the better.
Your response may be that “I have the
right to do anything,” so why restrict secular
music? It can’t be all that bad. The apostle
Paul tells us otherwise, “I have the right to do
anything,’ you say—but not everything is
beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—
but not everything is constructive” (1 Cor.
10:23, NIV). Although I am allowed to listen
to anything, not everything is for my benefit.
My counsel then, in accordance with
Scripture, is to listen to only what is
beneficial and constructive for your lives.
And, at all times, remembering that what you
hear is what you are; similar to the saying
“you are what you eat.” Music does, bottom-
line, affect your thoughts and your behavior;
how do you want to live today? Or better yet,
WHO do you want to live your life as?
Cindy Calderon
Email: [email protected]
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