Now we have given some brief point in this Apologetic; and also shown how two people's philosophies can be reduced to nothing but air. It is important to give some demonstrations of this apologetic in regards to several World religions and their views. But before I do, it is important to get a clear picture of what I will be arguing for.
There are a number of points which are essential to this approach; can these competing claims supply a foundation for truth, logic, reason, morality, intellectual understanding, love.
The argument is this: Without the triune God no one can make sense anything. In other words, reality presupposes God for it to be what it is.
(1) Islam: the religion of Muhammadans
In Christian truth, the one true triune God makes it clear that "he is not able lie, deceive or manipulate anyone" because it against his very nature (Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:1-6, Hebrews 6:13-20). And yet it is often claimed by Muhammadans that Allah is the same God of the bible, still we have several troubling statements which contradict this foundational truth about who God is. Such as the following ones
And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers. (54) (And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then unto Me ye will (all) return, and I shall judge between you as to that wherein ye used to differ. (55) As for those who disbelieve I shall chastise them with a heavy chastisement in the world and the Hereafter; and they will have no helpers. (56) And as for those who believe and do good works, He will pay them their wages in full. Allah loveth not wrong-doers (Surah 3)
Then changed We the evil plight for good till they grew affluent and said: Tribulation and distress did touch our fathers. Then We seized them unawares, when they perceived not. (95) And if the people of the townships had believed and kept from evil, surely We should have opened for them blessings from the sky and from the earth. But (unto every messenger) they gave the lie, and so We seized them on account of what they used to earn. (96) Are the people of the townships then secure from the coming of Our wrath upon them as a night-raid while they sleep? (97) Or are the people of the townships then secure from the coming of Our wrath upon them in the daytime while they play? (98) Are they then secure from Allah's scheme? None deemeth himself secure from Allah's scheme save folk that perish (surah 7)
Alif. Lam. Ra. (This is) a Scripture which We have revealed unto thee (Muhammad) that thereby thou mayst bring forth mankind from darkness unto light, by the permission of their Lord, unto the path of the Mighty, the Owner of Praise, (1) Allah, unto Whom belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. and woe unto the disbelievers from an awful doom; (2) Those who love the life of the world more than the Hereafter, and debar (men) from the way of Allah and would have it crooked: such are far astray. (3) And We never sent a messenger save with the language of his folk, that he might make (the message) clear for them. Then Allah sendeth whom He will astray, and guideth whom He will. He is the Mighty, the Wise. (4) We verily sent Moses with Our revelations, saying: Bring thy people forth from darkness unto light. And remind them of the days of Allah. Lo! therein are revelations for each steadfast, thankful (heart).(surah 14)It is evident from these 3 sections that whatever Allah is; he is not the one true God for God is not the one who lies, deceives and manipulate people into doing thing that are against the very nature of God. In fact, the bible does give us some clue to what being does this in John 8:42-45, 1 john 2:22-25; and it is more fitting of Satan to do these things than it is for God to do that which is clear not in his nature.
And one of the most blatant passage that reveals Allah deceptive and cunning ways is found in the sole passage that denies all history, that deny the biblical truth and in turn, it reveals that it is not of God but a mere mortal man is found in Surah 4:157 which tells us:
And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger - they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain.On this two simple points must be stressed, firstly, if Allah is so prone to deception and no one escapes his radar than is it possible that the Muslims are the victims of his wickedness? And if this is the case, then how can one even trust him. secondly, based on surah 3:55 and 61:14 these both say that Jesus followers will be victorious till the day of judgement; this raises a new thought: if it is true that they will be and yet the claim of corruption to the text of the bible is always in view. And yet it not being the original, then on what basis can you appeal to the bible for your own security. And where is this "gospel of Christ" that we hear so much; yet have no real evidence for it from your prospective.
Another issue lies in the fact, that the Quran no where make the mention of corruption to the text of the bible; but in actual reality tells us it is in tact in such verses as:
And We prescribed for them therein: The life for the life, and the eye for the eye, and the nose for the nose, and the ear for the ear, and the tooth for the tooth, and for wounds retaliation. But whoso forgoeth it (in the way of charity) it shall be expiation for him. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are wrong-doers. (45) And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah - a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil). (46) Let the People of the Gospel judge by that which Allah hath revealed therein. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are evil-livers. (47) And unto thee have We revealed the Scripture with the truth, confirming whatever Scripture was before it, and a watcher over it. So judge between them by that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not their desires away from the truth which hath come unto thee. For each We have appointed a divine law and a traced-out way. Had Allah willed He could have made you one community. But that He may try you by that which He hath given you (He hath made you as ye are). So vie one with another in good works. Unto Allah ye will all return, and He will then inform you of that wherein ye differ. (48) So judge between them by that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not their desires, but beware of them lest they seduce thee from some part of that which Allah hath revealed unto thee. And if they turn away, then know that Allah's Will is to smite them for some sin of theirs. Lo! many of mankind are evil-livers.(surah 5)
If only the People of the Scripture would believe and ward off (evil), surely We should remit their sins from them and surely We should bring them into Gardens of Delight. (65) If they had observed the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto them from their Lord, they would surely have been nourished from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them there are people who are moderate, but many of them are of evil conduct. (66) O Messenger! Make known that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord, for if thou do it not, thou wilt not have conveyed His message. Allah will protect thee from mankind. Lo! Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk. (67) Say O People of the Scripture! Ye have naught (of guidance) till ye observe the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto you from your Lord. That which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) from thy Lord is certain to increase the contumacy and disbelief of many of them. But grieve not for the disbelieving folk. (68) Lo! those who believe, and those who are Jews, and Sabaeans, and Christians - Whosoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right - there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. (69) We made a covenant of old with the Children of Israel and We sent unto them messengers. As often as a messenger came unto them with that which their souls desired not (they became rebellious). Some (of them) they denied and some they slew. (70) (surah 5)It is clear that the author of the Quran believed that the whole bible from the Law to the Gospel was in tact, and was an authority unto itself. And it even goes beyond this, in that it appeals to the Jewish- Christian scriptures to validate the Quran, the prophet-hood of Muhammad. This proves one thing that being the undeniable fact that the Quran is not an authority unto itself. Now of course, the Muslim can appeal to the passages from surah 2 and 3 which say some writing had been corrupted; but again, it is a stretch to say they are referring to the text of the bible.
(1) They could and most certainly refer to people interpretations of scripture which I would say that it is possible that an interpretation can be incorrect. But that does not infringe upon the text.
(2) Even worse, since the passages in question fall under the "ambiguous category" of surah 3: 7; could be more pointing to the fact of the early development of the Quran. And therefore, it is making a point of saying much of the Quran is ambiguous in nature.
Based on this brief consideration of Islam, we can conclude that Allah does not provide a consistent and balanced view of reality; he has made it clear that he can and will if needed deceive anyone he desires.
(2) Jehovah Witness's : the organisation of mind control
Another element that is important for our discussion lies in the fact that some organisations won't even admit to their past failures in regards to the second coming of Christ. And one such case, happens to be found in the Jehovah witness camp. These people pride themselves on the fact that their organisation id God mouth-piece to the world The bible gives us a clear test of whether someone is a true prophet in Deuteronomy 18.
And it is at this point we must consider the passage for some clarity:
But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him. (Verses 20-22)So after Moses tells us of a future prophet to come who would be like him by the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Moses gives us a few criterion for knowing if someone's claims of prophet-hood are true. (1) speaking something in God name which he never commanded. (2) speaking in the name of other gods.
And it is at this point we must consider the following claim in regards to the second coming. But lets consider an important statement the Watchtower makes in a recent publication:
Human predictions are often based on such factors as scientific research, analysis of available fact and trends, or bogus spiritual insight. After making their forecasts , humans typically sit back and back ...passively and wait to see what will happen. In contrast to humans, God knows all the facts. He thoroughly understands the nature and inclination of all humans; therefore, when he chooses to do so, God can foresee exactly how individuals and entire nations will act. But God can do more than that. He can even control and change factors and trends to ensure the outcome." Watchtower page 6.This is a very telling statement for the organisation to make; especially when we consider the fact, when we look at there history we see one common theme pop up over and over again. And that of course is the problem of them make false prophetic predictions about different issues. But for the purpose of this, we may only need to look at one strand:
True, there have been those in times past who predicted an 'end to the world', even announcing a specific date. Yet nothing happened. The 'end' did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing? . . . Missing from such people were God's truths and evidence that he was using and guiding them," (Awake, Oct. 8, 1968).Another telling statement for it says, "there have been those in times past who predicted an 'end to the world'" and also, we have "They were guilty of false prophesying." On one hand, it is great they admit they were wrong, and that they are known for false prophesy. Yet they say that it was because, such people "were not being used of God, and that they had no truth." How can we not take notice of the fact that they are really unravelling the very fabric of their false faith.
For if we cannot trust those voices of past Jehovah witness, then what hope do we have for trusting anything they have to say now. This statement was from 68; which means they had done with prophesying Christ return for we have at least 2 others.
Now let's consider a few of these failed prophecies:
1880 "We need not here repeat the evidences that the "seventh trump" began its sounding A.D., 1840, and will continue until the end of the time of trouble, and the end of "The times of the Gentiles," A.D., 1914, and that it is the trouble of this "Great day," which is here symbolically called the voice of the Archangel when he begins the deliverance of fleshly Israel. "At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince (Archangel) which standeth for the children of thy people and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation." Dan. xii. 1. Nor will we here, again present the conclusive Bible proof that our Lord came for his Bride in 1874, and has an unseen work as Reaper of the first-fruits of this Gospel Age. (Zion's Watchtower November, 1880 p. 1)
1886 "The outlook at the opening of the New Year has some very encouraging features. The outward evidences are that the marshaling of the hosts for the battle of the great day of God Almighty, is in progress while the skirmishing is commencing. … The time is come for Messiah to take the dominion of earth and to overthrow the oppressors and corrupters of the earth, (Rev. 19:15 and 11:17, 18) preparatory to the establishment of everlasting peace upon the only firm foundation of righteousness and truth." (Zion's Watchtower, January, 1886;Watchtower reprints I, p. 817)
1914 "There is absolutely no ground for Bible students to question that the consummation of this Gospel age is now even at the door, and that it will end as the Scriptures foretell in a great time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. We see the participants in this great crisis banding themselves together… The great crisis, the great clash, symbolically represented as a fire, that will consume the ecclesiastical heavens and the social earth, is very near." (Watchtower Reprints, VI, May 1, 1914, p. 5450)
1920 "A simple calculation of these jubilees brings us to this important fact: Seventy jubilees of fifty years each would be a total of 3500 years. That period of time beginning 1575 before A.D. 1 of necessity would end in the fall of 1925, at which time the type ends and the great antitype must begin. What, then, should we expect to take palace? In the type there must be a full restoration; beginning of restoration of all things. The chief thing to be restored is the human race to life; and since other Scriptures definitely fix the fact that there will be a resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and other faithful ones of old, and that these will have the first favor, we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these faithful men and Israel from the condition of death, being resurrected and fully restored to perfect humanity and made the visible, legal representatives of the new order of things on earth. (Millions now living will never die, 1920 p 89-90)Here are just four such prophetic statement from this organisation which have not come true; yet this organisation believes that it is God's mouth-piece on earth. Does this not give course for some concern; especially when the bible is clear that God has not revealed the exact point. So how can they carry on with this massive issue plain as day; well, by ignoring it and brushing it aside. Or using the most out-rageous excuse of "New light - old light" concept.
But at this point, no matter how one dresses the issue up; they are still left with a real big issue of not having a consistent history. For if as the quote above says "some are guilty of false prophecy" Then we must recognise that the organisation is bankrupt for its founder is a false prophet and a con-man.
Another level of refutation comes from the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ says that we can know "a false prophet based on his fruits" (Matthew 7:15-20); what this essentially indicates is how he handles biblical doctrine concerning righteousness .. does he rightly handle or wrongly handle the bible. Let's consider one area very briefly:
From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah's people those, who, like the original Satan, have adopted an independent, fault finding attitude . . . They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago . . . " (Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1981).This statement clearly teaches the undeniable fact, the bible teaches the triune nature of God; when it says that "They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home." So some Jehovah witness prefer to read alone or in small groups... and what do they say the result of such things are: "strangely, through such Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago . . . " The question becomes:
What was it that the Church were teaching in 1881 and before ... (1) God is tri-personal or triune. (2) Jesus Christ is the God- man, being both God and man. (3) that the Holy Spirit is as the bible truly teaches God and is personal. (4) Man can be truly saved through Christ work on the cross apart from any works they do.
And these thing are clearly denied by the Witness Organisation as the following reference make clear:
When a person, on the basis of the Scriptural knowledge he has gained, has belief in Christ as the Saviour whom God provided and shows that faith by his works, he can consider himself as being on the way to salvation. It would be a mistake for him to think that he is now saved and cannot fall. He must show by his endurance in the Christian faith that he is worthy of salvation. "Let him that thinks he has a firm position beware that he does not fall." 1 Cor. 10:12 . . . Salvation from death is a gift from God to those that obey him, not to those that disobey," (Watchtower, March 1, 1960, p. 134).It statements like these that makes me as a Christian cringe, and sincerely be concerned with all who believe in this kind of notion. Consider these words, "and shows that faith by his works, he can consider himself as being on the way to salvation." So when we consider this, it is clear that man has no certainty of his salvation in a system that purports to be concerned of man eventual state of existence.
But also notice these words, "It would be a mistake for him to think that he is now saved and cannot fall" So as long as he does not view that he is in actual reality saved from the time he places his trust in Christ as the bible makes it plain. Then it would be better in a sense that the organisation can still play their manipulative tricks on them. Is this really and truly of God who says mans salvation is based on his unchangeable Character and nature.
And we see that this organisation are a bunch of con-men who are purposefully deceiving people for their own gain. We must bear in mind that they have already undermined their own falsehood by saying, "the bible teaches the things they reject."
(3) Mormonism: The polytheistic system
One of the central truths about the one true God is that is to his nature unchanging; what he is now the triune being , he has always been since all eternity. And that ca never be shown to be an error. For everything God reveals about his nature, his character and purposes are immutable. And this seen in many great passages such:
So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. (Hebrews 6:17-18)In these passage we see two thing being highlighted as "unchangeable" foundation to why God would never lie about a thing: in the first instance, we see that it is his purpose. And in the second, it is his very nature. Therefore, God is the one who sets the standard for why it is important to be truth and consistent in what we believe in regards to him. And what does this mean when we examine Joseph Smith and his belief.
Let's consider them for a brief time:
And now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people. And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son—The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son— And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth -- mosiah 15 :1-4It would appear from a passage such as this one, the young Joseph smith at least believed at this time believe in one true - eternal God. Now of course, there is a slight issue of confusion in regard to the persons; putting this aside for the time being we can immediately see that Joseph believed God is an eternal being.
This passage dates some years before the more well known "revelations" were given to Joseph and other leaders. It was only towards the end of his life, in ad 1843-44 that thing began to store off into wild ideals. Such as the following ones:
It is based on this one "revelation" whereby Joseph seek to undermine historic Christian teaching about the nature of God (as well as man); and in doing so, he contradicts his own views from earlier on in his "prophetic calling." Notice what is said, "We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see." And in doing this he made it clear that he is not a true Christian but a false prophet.God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself visible - I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form - like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked and conversed with him, as one man talks and communes with another.In order to understand the subject of the dead, for consolation of those who mourn for the loss of their friends, it is necessary we should understand the character and being of God and how he came to be so; for I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see.These are incomprehensible ideas to some, but they are simple. It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another, and that he was once a man like us; yea, that God himself the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did; and I will show it from the Bible. (an excerpt from the king folly funeral discourse)
And what is more concerning is that this lie has been apart of Mormon teaching ever since that point as seen in other Mormon teachings like these two:
The Mormon teaching are so far from the biblical truth concerning God nature and existence that it is hard to see any other term than cult being applied. But is not only for this single point, there are many other areas that Mormonism are incorrect in. But on this one area of contention we see that Mormonism is immediately refuted from within its own system.Apostle Orson Pratt expounded concerning the Mormon doctrine of a plurality of Gods: "If we should take a million of worlds like this and number their particles, we should find that there are more Gods than there are particles of matter in those worlds" (Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p. 345).Orson Pratt explains further: "The Gods who dwell in the Heaven ... have been redeemed from the grave in a world which existed before the foundations of this earth were laid. They and the Heavenly body which they now inhabit were once in a fallen state ... they were exalted also, from fallen men to Celestial Gods to inhabit their Heaven forever and ever" (The Seer, p. 23).
A second avenue of refutation comes immediately off the heals of this unbiblical doctrine; whereby the Idea of multiple God exist in multiple universes. And it is seen as a progression of this in terms of Man becoming gods based upon 'good works' here is one passage from their multitude of writings on this subject:
TRUE EVOLUTION. We hear considerable about evolution. Who is there that believes more in true evolution than the Latter-day Saints-the evolution of man until he shall become a god. That is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, believed in by the Latter-day Saints. That is the kind of evolution we believe in, but not the evolution of man from some low type of animal life. (Gospel Truth, 1:9)Here is a significant statement on this subject pay attention to these words, "evolution of a man until he becomes a god." Now this theory is not given any real substance to make it more believable; it is just an open assertion. No biblical evidence, no substantial exegesis is provided to prove this is the case. It is simply stated as a fact, in that it is: "This is Gospel of Christ."
It neglects the many passage which denounce this myth from Isaiah 40-48 and "the hall of false god," there is one true God. No other exists.
However, there is a kind of evolution of man .. he is born a babe and grows into a full fledged adult. But he never becomes anything other than what he is ... a limited human that becomes a resurrected human.
Yet, let us consider another statement on this mythical teaching of Men becoming gods; it is important to understand how this has completely messed with all Mormons:
In the full sense, eternal progression is enjoyed only by those who receive the fullness of the Father; they have all power, all knowledge, and all wisdom; they gain a fullness of truth, becoming one with the Father. All other persons are assigned lesser places in the mansions that are prepared, and their progression is not eternal and unlimited but in a specified sphere.Again, we have the unproven assertion that "man will become a god" being peddled as if it is a truth or even a fact. Still no scripture is given to make this a reality; therefore, it is nothing more than a personal belief of a few men that is not the truth.
Those who gain exaltation, having thus enjoyed the fullness of eternal progression, become like God. (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 238-39).
And this is what happens when you have an unstable person who do not have the truth; who continually proclaims contradictory things about who God and how he exists. Man is man, God is not eternally.
