THEME: How the
theory of evolution is in danger of collapse and how evolutionists defend it.
QUESTIONS:
What is the alternative theory to evolution?
- It is
the “Intelligent Design” [ID] Theory. This theory holds that certain
features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an
intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection.
Why are the evolutionists so desperate in defending the
theory of evolution?
- For
over a hundred years, the dominant scientific establishment has been
moving toward an enforced orthodoxy of naturalism, materialism, and
secularism. Their fear is that the theory of Intelligent Design will
continue to grow, gain adherents, and influence public policy. When the
theory of evolution collapses, their whole system will start to collapse.
What are the strategies used by evolutionists in defending
evolution?
- They
rely on irrational ways include: (1) name calling and exaggerations, (2)
circular logic, spotty and unsubstantiated trail of fossils and missing
links, (3) will not accept will any contradictory evidences no matter how
good they are.
How would the results of this battle affect the society?
- It is
a spiritual battle. The arguments over evolution have as much to do with
morality and politics as with fossils and natural phenomena. Evolutionary
theory stands at the base of moral relativism and the rejection of
traditional morality. With evolution, human life has no inherent dignity,
and morality has no objective basis. When evolution theory fails,
traditional morality and theism will advance.
THEME: Why
Christians must have a Biblical worldview in moral areas and what the
strategies are to develop it.
QUESTIONS:
The majority of people in North America (and in Europe) claim
they are Christians. What is the state of their faith?
- Nominal
Christians order their lives as if God does not exist. Otherwise, we would
be required to care what God thinks, obey what God commands, and submit to
His authority—or fear and face the consequences. It seems that millions of
Americans claim to believe in a god they do not fear.
- Biblical
morality is dismissed as antiquarian, repressive, and intolerant. Of
course, the only way to be understood as contemporary, progressive, and
tolerant in this culture is to forfeit any claim to know what is right or
wrong.
What is the result when God is no longer relevant in the society?
- Without
God, we must make our own laws and set our own moral standard. Then, morality
is nothing more than a human construction. Since morality is our own
construction, we can deconstruct and reconstruct a morality more to our
liking. We are our own judges and our own gods.
- There
is very little moral consensus on the most important ethical issues of the
day, including sanctity of human life, sexual morality, and the integrity
of the family. Confusion is the order of the day. This is the main
consequence of moral revolt.
What must committed Christians do to recover a worldview of
moral clarity?
- (1)
Discover and understand the Biblical moral values.
- (2)
Practise and apply these values under the watchful eyes of the world.
- (3) Help
a fragmenting and hurting society through works of love.
THEME: We have to
put priorities on defending our faith.
QUESTIONS:
How can the analogy of a hospital emergency room be applied
in the area of defending our faith?
- Emergency
medical personnel have practiced a discipline known as triage—a process
that allows trained personnel to make a quick evaluation of relative
medical urgency, that is, determination of medical priority. Which
patients should be rushed into surgery? Which patients can wait for a less
urgent examination?
- A
discipline of theological triage would require Christians to determine a
scale of theological urgency. Which doctrines are most important to
defend?
What are the three levels of theological issues?
- First-level
theological issues are those doctrines most central and essential to the
Christian faith. Examples: the Trinity, the full deity and humanity of
Jesus Christ, justification by faith, and the authority of Scripture.
- Second-order
doctrines are those that genuine believing Christians can have different
beliefs, though this disagreement will create significant boundaries
between believers. Examples: the meaning and mode of baptism, women
serving as pastors.
- Third-order
doctrines are those that Christians may disagree and yet remain in close
fellowship, such as in the same church. Examples: timetable and sequence of
Christ’s second coming and end time events.
How do the first two orders of theological issues divide
people into groups?
- First-level
issues divide Christians from non-Christians.
- Second-level
issues divide Christians into various denominations.
What mistakes are made by liberalism on one hand and
fundamentalism on another?
- [KH:
The word “fundamentalism” was historically used to describe the religious
thought that defends the basic orthodox doctrines. Just 50 years ago, all
those who hold onto the authority of the Bible can be described as
fundamentalists. However, the word has been changed in modern times to
refer to religious extremism, such as the Muslim fundamentalists who
support terrorism.]
- The
error of theological liberalism is evident in a basic disrespect for
biblical authority and the church’s treasury of truth. The mark of true
liberalism is the refusal to admit that first-order theological issues
even exist. Liberals treat first-order doctrines as if they were merely
third-order in importance, and doctrinal ambiguity is the inevitable
result.
- Fundamentalism,
on the other hand, tends toward the opposite error. The misjudgment of
true fundamentalism is the belief that all disagreements concern
first-order doctrines. Thus, third-order issues are raised to a
first-order importance, and Christians are wrongly and harmfully divided.
KH’s summary of first-order doctrines:
[1] God the Father: infinite and holy; a
triune God (trinity); a personal God; creator (active in the past) and provider
(active in the present) of the universe
[2] God the Son, Jesus Christ: full deity
and full humanity; born of a virgin; death on the cross in behalf of all men
for their sin; bodily resurrection; physical second coming
[3] God the Holy Spirit: effecting the
rebirth of believers; inspired the writing of the Bible; the Bible is infallible, and is the sole standard of Christian
faith and practice
[4] Salvation: everyone is a sinner;
salvation by God’s grace and through personal faith alone (repentance and
acceptance of Jesus as Saviour and Lord)
THEME: Reasons
why Reagan was one of the great American presidents and a true leader.
QUESTIONS:
Please classify the 10 lessons into the following 3 groups.
·
a leader’s internal qualities: with powerful ideas, with deep
conviction, with a vision, with character (strong moral sense, total integrity,
sacrificial leadership, and clarity of purpose)
·
a leader’s outward appearance: persistently high level of energy,
with charisma of confidence, using the role of symbolism
·
a leader’s relationship with other people: with good communication skill,
gathering a team of gifted and capable people, seeking allies for support