Today’s New Reason To Believe

Kenneth Richard Samples

Historic Christianity is unique among the religions of the world for its explicit emphasis upon both the origin and destiny of humanity. The Christian faith has much to say about important past events, but it also projects forward concerning critical future things.

In parts two and three of this series I described what might be called “Mere Christian Eschatology.” While important differences are apparent concerning the final events of human history, nevertheless all historical Christian theological traditions affirm essential core orthodoxy when it comes to eschatology (study of “last things”). Secondary differences among believers should always be understood within the context of the overwhelming areas of common agreement.

Still, some of the sharpest differences Christians have amongst themselves come down to eschatology.

Three Major Eschatological Differences

1. Understanding of the Bible’s Apocalyptic Literature

Apocalyptic writings are a genre of literature that is believed to present revelations of the end of the world in deeply symbolic language. Through the centuries Christendom has been divided over just how to understand the Bible’s apocalyptic, or prophetic, literature (primarily Daniel and Revelation).

Today, many biblical scholars remain in disagreement over interpretations of these books. They interpret the Book of Revelation through various approaches (preterist, historicist, idealist, futurist) that contribute to eschatological differences. Many scholars consider the Bible’s apocalyptic elements to be the most challenging and difficult areas to understand.

Interpretive Models of Revelation:

2. Relationship between Israel and the Church

One of the most important areas of biblical study has to do with the question of how the Old Testament (OT) relates to the New Testament (NT). Some conservative evangelical traditions see great continuity between the testaments. However, others emphasize their apparent discontinuity.

An area that directly relates to eschatology is the question of Israel and the Christian church. Is it appropriate to make a distinction between these two groups? Some assert that there is no distinction between Israel and the church. For them, the church is the new Israel. For those who embrace the historic eschatological positions of amillennialism and postmillennialism (both to be discussed in later articles) the church is designated as spiritual Israel.

On the other hand, advocates of premillennialism (also to be discussed) mark an important distinction between Israel and the church. Historic premillennialists make a subtle distinction (between a literal Israel and a spiritual one), whereas with dispensational premillennialists the distinction is much more pronounced. Dispensational theology has historically made a complete distinction between the two groups and even proposed two individual programs (one for Israel and another for the church).

Determining the proper relationship between the OT people of Israel and the NT church remains an area of critical difference in eschatology.

The next article will discuss one more area in which Christians find major differences in eschatology.

For an introduction to the topic of general eschatology, see Donald G. Bloesch, The Last Things and George Eldon Ladd, A Commentary on the Revelation of John.

Previously Posted on Jan 4th, 2008 by David H. Rogstad, Ph.D.

Various atheists have felt confident in the past year or so, expressing themselves through a number of best-selling books authored by the likes of Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Victor Stenger, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett. A commonly articulated view among such skeptics insists that religion is irrational, harmful, dangerous, and, in some cases, evil. Whether their case is against religion itself or against people who practice religion can be debated; but recent articles, describing studies of the effect of religion on people and their health, paints a different picture.

In its April 10, 2007, issue, ScienceDaily reported on a survey done at the University of Chicago that addressed this topic. Through random selection, the researchers interviewed over one thousand practicing physicians, asking questions about the physicians’ religious views and their observations about what role religion and spirituality played in the lives of their patients. While the findings were somewhat biased by the personal religious outlook of the physician, the physicians’ views included that religion and spirituality:

awareness is often or always increased in times of illness (67%)

has much or very much influence on health (56%)

leads to intervention, at times, by a supernatural being (54%)

influences the patient in a generally positive way (85%)

changes the medical outcomes (6%)

helps the patient cope (76%)

gives the patient a positive state of mind (74%)

provides emotional and practical support through a religious community (55%)

causes negative emotions such as guilt and anxiety (7%)

leads the patients to decline medical treatment (2%)

causes patients to avoid taking responsibility for their health (4%)

sometimes has one of the above harmful influences (33%)

These results largely support the idea that religion plays a positive role in patients’ lives. However, a conclusion on the part of those carrying out the survey states that, “Future studies should examine the ways physicians’ own religions (and secular) commitments shape their clinical engagements in these and other domains.”

Later, in its October 24 issue, ScienceDaily outlined a study done at the University of Missouri-Columbia that goes beyond the previous study, showing that religion helps many who live with disabilities. Some of the results suggest that religion:

helps those facing impending death to accept their condition and prepare for death;

helps those with chronic disabilities, such as brain or spinal injury, stroke, etc. to cope with their loss.

In light of these results, the researchers performing the study recommend that, “Health care providers should encourage religious practices important to individuals,” and “students should be taught about various religious beliefs and how they might be used to the patients’ advantage in a rehabilitation setting.”

While the Christian faith in particular is not in view, both of these studies add to a growing body of evidence that supports the credibility of the case for religion.

Kenneth Richard Samples

When most of us think about New Year’s resolutions things like diet and exercise usually come to mind.

However, there may be another important sphere of life that needs reflection and discipline. Several years ago Christian thinker and author Os Guinness wrote a provocative book entitled Fit Bodies Fat Minds: Why Evangelicals Don’t Think and What to Do About It.

Guinness effectively illustrated that there is a serious problem in today’s evangelical churches concerning intellectual ignorance and apathy. He argues that for many Christians there is a chronic laziness of mind. Many believers today could undoubtedly benefit from mental exercise and a healthier consumption of good books. After all, the Lord Jesus Christ called his disciples to love God with all of their being, which includes the gift of the mind (Matthew 22:37).

Reading quality books is to the mind what exercise and a good diet are to the body. There are many benefits to be gained from exploring good books.

Last year I gave a sermon at my church challenging church members to read six classic Christian books. To my delight, two book clubs formed at the church and they read the theological works that I had recommended. Book clubs can be great opportunities for intellectual, social, and spiritual growth.

This year I am challenging my fellow believers to read six contemporary apologetics books. If you are adventurous enough to make this one of your New Year’s resolutions, then let me recommend six RTB books to consider for the upcoming year.

2009 RTB Apologetics Reading List

The six books that I am recommending were written by RTB staff scholars Hugh Ross, Fuz Rana, and myself. Some of the books are fairly new, while others have been around a while. However, because of their robust content few of them can be read and digested quickly. So my motto “Life is short, read fast!” may not apply to these meaty works.

1. A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test by Kenneth Richard Samples

This is my latest book on worldviews. I am suggesting you read it first because it has a lot of good information on developing the “life of the mind.” It explores the historic Christian worldview in some depth and compares and contrasts it with such worldview competitors as naturalism, postmodernism, pantheistic monism, and Islamic theism. Learning to think in terms of worldviews is critical to Christians living in this pluralistic age.

2. The Cell’s Design: How Chemistry Reveals the Creator’s Artistry by Fazale Rana

In his latest book, Fuz uses his sharp understanding of biochemistry to illustrate the amazing molecular features of human cells. The material he provides takes the classical argument from divine design to a whole new level. Though it deals with a heady apologetic topic, The Cell’s Design is readable even for the nonscientist.

3. Why the Universe Is the Way It Is by Hugh Ross

Hugh’s newest book is hot off the press. It integrates science and theology by exploring the big “why” questions when it comes to God creating the universe. This is definitely one of Hugh’s most theologically oriented and accessible volumes. It can serve as a great gift for both believers and seekers.

4. Who Was Adam?: A Creation Model Approach to the Origin of Man by Fazale Rana with Hugh Ross

Of the books that Fuz and Hugh have collaborated on, this is my favorite. The care and fairness expressed in this book is truly impressive. My colleagues compare and contrast an evolutionary model of man’s origins with a biblical model. It remains one of the most important science apologetics books RTB’s scholar team has produced.

5. The Creator and the Cosmos: How the Latest Scientific Discoveries Reveal God by Hugh Ross

This book represents Hugh at his apologetic best. As an astronomer he powerfully and persuasively demonstrates how modern cosmology supports the view that the universe came into existence “out of nothing” and is exquisitely fine-tuned to allow for the emergence of complex life. It is one of the most important science-faith apologetics books you could ever read.

6. Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions by Kenneth Richard Samples

I wrote this book a few years ago. It addresses many of the challenging questions that people ask about historic Christianity. It strikes a good balance in terms of apologetic substance and readability. I have used it as a textbook in a number of my classes at Biola University. A number of churches across the country have used it as an apologetics text for their study groups.

Well, that’s my list.

Happy New Year and happy reading!

For more on the importance of pursuing the life of the mind to the glory of God, see my book A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test.

For a modern classic on reading skills and comprehension, see Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren, How To Read A Book.