Faith Issues

'When we become Christians by opening up our lives and our hearts and minds to Jesus, we are not called to a New Life of blind acceptance. Life isn't suddenly black and white - there are still many shades of grey.
Just like the disciples and the early apostles we live in a world that is full of unanswered questions. Like them we sometimes struggle to find acceptable answers to all that happens around us, or to those who would challenge the very basis for our faith .
Indeed, some of us need ocassionally to re-visit that moment of discovery again and question our own faith. Is it strong enough to counter the arrows of those who would argue against us? If not, then we need to go on that journey of discovery again - we need to feed again on God's Word and let Him speak to us and interpret for us.'

Burning Issues! Abortion is always a subject that is going to cause faith problems with a lot of folk. Questions like 'Are there times when for medical reasons abortion should be allowed?' 'What about in cases of rape''What if tests show an abnormality?' Since 1973, the year that the Roe vs Wade bill was first enacted, more than 40 million abortions have been performed in the United States alone. (Source: The New York Times, 1/21/01, from information gathered in a Gallop Poll.) Worldwide, there are approximately 46 million abortions performed A YEAR and 126,000 PER DAY! I'm not getting on my high horse, saying there aren't difficulties in the arguement and trying to sound holier than thou, but if you want convincing that abortion is nothing other than killing a tiny human being then click here If you think an aborted fetus is not yet truly human then you ought to see some of these shocking pictures (And they will shock, so be warned!) Here's the picture that pro-abortionists and the media don't want you to see. Don't click here if you are squeamish, but at least I end on a note of hope! Let's have a look at the Creation vs. Evolution debate, see where the argument has got thus far and maybe stir up a little chat! Firstly the evidence for what I will call a fundamentalist view of Creation, and there are lots of web sites:- Visit to the Creation Science home page. Here you will find many resources related to the study of origins and science from a creationist perspective. Then the online edition of In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood (7th Edition) by Dr. Walt Brown. Copyright © 1995–2001 Author quote: "Where is the creation-evolution controversy headed? I believe the battle will be won—not in courts, legislatures, boards of education, or church councils—but by “grass roots” science education. Yes, today evolutionists generally control higher education, science journals, and the media, but the scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports creation and a global flood" And the view from the opposing camp (not so well-represented online):- Very up-front is the "Creation 'Science' Debunked" Home Page. Author quote "For most of us, the controversy over creation and evolution was settled way back in 1925, when Clarence Darrow eviscerated William Jennings Bryan in a country courtroom in Dayton, Tennessee. However, a growing number of recent attempts to remove evolutionary theory from the schoolroom, in favor of a "scientific" version of the Biblical Genesis story, demonstrates that the anti-evolutionist movement is still alive and well in America" and ditto from Debunking Creation Science with Creation Science by Lucas Bachmann Author quote"It is my hope that by providing these examples of creationist authorities contradicting each other, and finally admitting to their falsehoods that at a minimum you will no longer believe these falsehoods, and perhaps question the integrity of these institutions." Somewhat more even-handed is this critical look at the opposing camps from religious tolerance.com. "The media delight in talking about the warfare between evolution and creation science. However, there are not just two conflicting belief systems concerning the origin of plants, animals, humans, the rest of the world and the rest of the universe. There are literally many hundreds of theories" Trying to reconcile the two approaches can be fraught with difficulty, but here's a site that tries to do this "Reasons You Can Trust The Bible" examines biological evolution, Genesis creation, Noah's flood, and Joshua's long day from scientific and Biblical viewpoints. If you feel strongly about either viewpoint, don't email me, I'm not letting on where I stand in the evolution of this debate! Why don't you add a comment to my Discussion Forum - it's about time it got used!

Smouldering Issues!  In the light of recent events, it seems a good time to look at the subject of religious tolerance, or lack of it, and how it is tackled on the web. For some, it seems only a small jump in strange reasoning to go from "You are different from us," to "You are not a Christian," to "You are sub-human," to "You have no right to live." Religious Tolerance.org looks at all aspects, as viewed from conservative, liberal and1st century CE perspectives It's always useful to gain an insight into other faith groups, and listed here are all the main ones you are likely to come into contact with. Bridge building between Muslims and Christians is important to both faith communities. Read an article writen from the Muslim point of view, for whom this dialogue is vital. The World Council of Churches, together with other partners including Muslim organisations has come up with this call to reflection and action www.persecution.org is raising awareness of religious intollerance and persecution throughout the world Taking a more extreme view, this essay looks at the dangers posed by being intolernant - 'Tragically, the most intolerant people I have encountered would label themselves the most religious. Indeed, they deem their intolerance an expression of God's will. What does this day about them? About their religion? Their God?' The last word goes to Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain and his personal reflections on religious tolerance in the UK More importantly, what's your view?. Leave a comment on our discussion forum, or a request for prayer. Basic Christianity: An audio-visual tour from the BBC World Service - balanced views and worth visiting for the Big Picture The Pursuit of God by A W Tozer. A great book by a great man! Articles by A W Tozer Charles Spugeon's 'All of Grace' The Seasons of the Church Year an overview of the Church's many festivals and the reasons for celebrating them A Rough Guidebook to the Bible - is a basic introduction to the famous book ABCs for Christian growth - laying the foundation - from the pen of J. Hampton Keathley III Why We All Need the ABCs by J. Hampton Keathley III, Th.M. (We live in an anti-intellectual, anti-authority society, especially when it comes to religious matters) Christian Basic Training by Charles T. Buntin Fundamentals of the Faith by Bob Deffinbaugh Christian Fellowship Devotionals from a group of individuals who want only to share the gospel with the lost and equip the body of Christ in growing and reaching a lost world for Jesus Christ. There seems to be a lot of good stuff here An introduction to worship by Carl Tuttle -'Worship is our first or foundational ministry. It is not our only ministry, but the one that all other spheres of ministry should be built upon. As one peruses Scripture the constant thread of worship runs through the lives of those who were intimate with their God and used mightily by Him. ' The Celtic Christianity Connection reflects on the impressions of an incomer to Wales Why is the Old Testament So Weird? What you need to know to wade into the wild waters of the old testament The Bible and Archaeology "In every instance where the findings of archaeology pertain to the Biblical record, the archaeological evidence confirms, sometimes in detailed fashion, the historical accuracy of Scripture." Let's get these off our chest first! How can I know there is a God? Questions sceptics ask Why would anyone want to be Holy? How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit? Free in the Spirit The promise of the Spirit What about speaking in tongues? Should we expect more of the Spirit? An excellent series of artcles by Rev Dick Tripp on a wide range of sometimes contentious issues The Bible and its accuracy Eyewitness accounts in the bible Jesus as God The Resurrection Why Christianity? Suffering The Trinity Science Guidance Repentance Forgiveness Born Again Faith Assurance Truth Morality The Church Purpose 10 Reasons To Believe is dedicated to not only helping Christians understand what they believe, but also helping those who do not "follow Christ" understand what Christianity is all about What people ask about the Church. Everything you ever wanted to know about the church and more! This online book answers seventy-five of the most intriguing or controversial questions about the modern and historical church, plus a glossary of church terms. Apologetics Research Resources on Religious Cults, Sects, Movements, Doctrines, Etc. It's so important that Christians are aware of all the many recipes for religious life and spiritual fulfilment that are out there, and whose doctrines are at variance with Christianity. Take a look at this list - there are hundreds!