Did Archaelogists Find Goliath?

There are a lot of fake stories passed around on the internet today. Many of these stories take advantage of Christians who are eager to prove to the world that the stories in the Bible are real. One "news" story claims archeologists have discovered the remains of Goliath, the giant that David killed in 1 Samuel. Some stories use the photograph above and to the left. Other similar stories show a giant skull with a stone sticking out of its forehead. Or, the same photos are used to claim the biblical "giants" of Genesis 6:4 have been found. Clearly, the above photograph is a fake, with the original shown to the right.

As a pastor, I have often had church members tell me how excited they are that they have seen a story posted on Facebook that confirms one biblical story or the other. Popular stories I have noticed are:

- Noah's Ark Found (More than once!)
- NASA Reveals Joshua's "Missing Day"
- The Remains of Pharaoh's Army from the Exodus Have Been Found

All of these stories are almost certainly false, although some of them are much more complicated to disprove than to simply show the original photograph. Some originate from obviously fake news sites, the kind that claim proof that Elvis was the real shooter of JFK. It's not my point to get into all the details of each story here. However, if you want to know more about the truth behind one of these stories or another one you have seen, please ask and I will reply. I'm sure some of you are surprised to learn one or more of these stories are not true.

What should we learn from this?

First, there is nothing wrong with looking for evidence of the truthfulness of the Bible. Is it possible that there are remains of Noah's Ark? I think so. Not very likely, but possible. Would it be exciting to find it? Absolutely! It could help start up conversations with people who have stopped believing any of the Bible is true. It might also encourage people who already believe the Bible. Plus, it would just be really cool! If Noah's Ark (or Goliath's skull) is found, it will be God's grace that has preserved it and allowed someone to discover it at just the right time.

However, Christians must be careful. First, it hurts our testimony when we look gullible, or even deceitful, when we present false evidence to support the Bible. Second, we must recognize that God has already provided sufficient evidence to support our faith and confirm the trustworthiness of Scripture. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a well documented historical fact. But the Bible itself gives sufficient evidence for the truth of the Gospel. Jesus said, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead" (Luke 16:31). Christians must be careful that their excitement about a "new discovery" isn't actually a sign of unbelief, an expression of an inner desire to find  "just a little more" evidence before we will really believe.

Whenever you see a news story "proving" the Bible, try to check out the sources before you share it or repost it. Fortunately, sites like "Snopes.com" make it easy to find sources on most stories you will see on the internet, although you cannot always trust everything on Snopes either. Answers in Genesis is a Christian site that exposes false stories as well.


Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. You can listen to previous programs online here: http://www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html

Are Near-Death Experiences for Real?

As many as five percent of Americans claim to have had a Near-Death experience. In a classic case, the person nearly dies or does die in some sense. They either have no heartbeat or no brain-wave reading for a period of time. But they recover and share stories of things they did or saw while they were dead. They often see a “light,” a loved one, Jesus, or their own life flashing before their eyes. They often report floating up over their body. These experiences are real and are reported frequently, the only question is what should we make of them? And do they give us evidence for trusting what the Bible says about life after death?

 
First, there are good reasons to be skeptical. Different stories present different, contradicting realities. Visions of heaven are frequently different from biblical descriptions and follow someone's own religious beliefs. It is impossible to confirm or deny any particular religious viewpoint on the basis of Near-Death experiences (NDEs). There is a also a high incentive to report NDEs. A person with an exciting story involving an NDE can sell a lot of books, which should make the story suspicious if there is no substantial evidence to back it up. 

In 2010 Alex Malarkey wrote a book with his father called, "The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven," about his NDE and trip to heaven as a six-year-old boy. The book sold over one million copies. But recently Alex, now older, confessed, "I did not die. I did not go to heaven...People have profited from lies, and continue to. They should read the Bible, which is enough. The Bible is the only source of truth. Anything written by man cannot be infallible."

Scientists naturally seek explanations for NDEs as well. Perhaps there is something that happens in the brain as it is shutting down. Perhaps NDEs occur as the brain is shutting down that triggers very real dreams of the afterlife. When the person wakes up, they assume that the experience occurred while they were "dead" when it actually occurred just before or after that time. This may explain a number of cases.

However, it does not seem to sufficiently explain all of them. In a number of instances there is external evidence that a NDE story is based on real events. For example, a woman named Maria described floating out of her body and above the hospital she was staying in. After recovering, she told her nurse she saw a tennis shoe on the roof. According to Maria, the shoe had a worn little toe. After searching on the roof of the hospital, the nurse found the shoe just as Maria described! There are many reported cases like this, if you are interested in reading more, I recommend the book, "Beyond Death Exploring the Evidence for Immortality" by Gary R. Habermas.

The Bible tells us that we are not merely physical beings. When our body decays, we do not cease to exist. We also have a "spirit" or "soul." We continue to have consciousness after death. One day, there will be a resurrection of our bodies and our spirit will be reunited with them. Believers in Jesus go to be with Jesus when they die. Their bodies will be resurrected when he comes back to earth and they will live with him forever. Unbelievers will be resurrected at the end of 1,000 years to face judgment. They are presently being kept in some sort of prison for spirits awaiting judgement (1 Peter 3:19, Luke 16:23). No one is presently in "hell" as far as what the Bible describes as the "lake of fire" (Revelation 20). Although heaven is a wonderful place for those who are in Christ, no one is yet in the "new heaven and the new earth" that is described in Revelation 21. Even those in heaven now are eagerly waiting for the resurrection when they can join with their bodies again.

NDEs do not give good supporting evidence for all that the Bible says about life after death. However, they do give strong evidence that there is life after death. I do not put much weight into accounts like "Heaven is for Real." In that case in particular, there is little supporting evidence that anything in the story actually happened. Numerous other examples offer more evidence. When it comes to understanding what actually happens after death, I trust the Bible. The source is not merely unreliable human testimony, but Jesus, who died and is the first human to truly be resurrected. Nevertheless, NDEs sometimes offer fascinating confirmation about life after this one. Are you ready for it? Jesus is the only one that offers us eternal life that we will enjoy forever. You can trust him!

Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. You can listen to previous programs online here: http://www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html

 

What is Biblical Counseling?

    Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are wary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

    The Bible provides solutions for life’s greatest problems. God knows us better than anyone, he created us! He also loves us and wants us to understand ourselves and how to overcome problems. He has revealed this information in his Word, the Bible.

    Biblical counseling is an opportunity for you to get help from God's Word. A biblical counselor seeks to learn and understand the problem you are facing and help you find solutions in the Bible. Through instruction, weekly assignments, and accountability, the counselor seeks to help you change the way you think about your problems. Sometimes taking the right steps can be hard, but the result is a life not so heavily burdened. 

    “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

 At First Baptist Fairfax, we would like to help with counseling needs such as:

• Marriage/Relationship Issues
• Depression
• Addiction
• Parenting Issues
• Anxiety
• And More

Our Counselor: Pastor David Janaro has a Masters degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is pursuing certification from the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and a Doctorate in Pastoral Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Call the church at 803-632-3228 to set up an appointment.

Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. You can listen to previous programs online here: http://www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html

The Bible and Mental Health

Can the Bible help us with mental health problems like bipolar disorder, ADHD, depression, and others? Yes it can!
The Bible says that God's "power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him (2 Peter 1:3)." He has given us everything we need to handle the issues surrounding mental health problems!
The Bible also says that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

At first, this may not seem so. "If I have cancer," you might ask, "How will the Bible help me? Isn't that an issue for a doctor?" Therefore, you add, "How can it help me with mental health problems?"

First, I will explain how the Bible can help with medical issues like cancer. Second, I hope to show the differences between typical medical problems and other mental health problems. Mental health problems fall even more directly into areas the Bible can help you with. I hope that this gives hope to you or a loved one who is struggling with a mental health issue.

1. The Bible can help with medical issues. The Bible can help in several ways. First, following the Bible can reduce the risk of some medical issues. For example, heart problems and other cardiovascular problems may be caused because of years of stress and anxiety. This may in part be caused by not truly understanding and following biblical teachings on worrying, not taking a day to rest weekly, or pursuing worldly security instead of pursuing God. All of us would be healthier if we truly understood and followed all that the Bible teaches about managing our time, stress, and focus. Then, there is prayer! The Bible teaches us to pray and have faith in God. God may heal us through prayer.

Second, the Bible helps us with medical issues because it helps us understand them. "Why is God letting this happen to me?" "What reason do I have for having hope in the midst of this illness?" "How can I rejoice even though I am in pain?" "What can I learn from this illness?" All of these questions are things the Bible can help us with. It may not tell us how to find a cure, but it will help with how to handle the illness. So, when we face a medical illness, we need help from a doctor, but we also need help from the Bible.

2. But what about mental health? First, you need to understand the categorical difference between psychological disorders and other medical health issues. A psychological disorder is diagnosed on the basis of behavior, not a physical test. For instance, you can see cancer in a lab. There is nothing that is "seen" in ADHD. People with depression are often told they have a "chemical imbalance." Certain chemicals are involved in the transfer of information between neurons in the brain. If these chemicals are at abnormal levels, problems like depression may occur. However, this is only a theory. There is no way to test the levels of chemicals between neurons in a brain. Rather, depression is diagnosed on the basis of behavior. Now in some cases, medical issues like a problem with the thyroid may contribute to depression. A doctor may find a medical issue that can be treated, but if so it is no longer considered a psychological disorder but rather a medical health issue.

The labels given in psychological disorders are simply names for a pattern of behaviors. For instance, if I saw someone shouting, with a red face and clinched fists while shaking their head, I would say they are "angry." That is a label for certain behaviors. However, it does not explain why they are angry. Similarly, when someone behaves in a certain way, we say they are bipolar, or have ADHD. This is merely a label for the behaviors, it does not mean we know of a medical cause, or even that there is one.

What this means is that psychological disorders are right in line with the kinds of things the Bible can help us solve. Is there a medical aspect to them? In some cases, maybe. The theories in these cases may or may not prove true. Does this mean that medications cannot be helpful or should be avoided? No. Even if we do not know why they work, medication may be a means God uses to help bring some relief from the pain that psychological disorders cause. However, at the root of many psychological disorders are deeply ingrained patterns of thinking, behavior, or attitudes that the Bible can help us understand and find solutions to. Hebrews 4:12 says, "The word of God is alive  and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

I will address specific disorders in the future. For now, I simply want to express that the Bible offers care and support for all sorts of mental health issues. There is hope! Perhaps you or a loved one is getting treatment from a psychiatrist. I am in no way suggesting you should stop. What I am suggesting is that the counseling based on the Bible may offer you a greater range of options and depth at managing or even healing the disorder you are facing. If you have specific questions, feel free to contact me. You can reach me at 803-943-8237.

 Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. You can listen to previous programs online here: http://www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html