Bible Archives

January 16, 2026January 14, 2026

The Ignorance of Modern Churchgoers

Postmodern America is searching for answers in all the wrong places, and this is evident both in churches and in the secular world. The Family Research Council (FRC) and the Cultural Research Center (CRC) surveyed 1,000 churchgoers, adults who attend Christian church services at least once a month. The survey found that the ignorance of modern churchgoers is significant.

Only 54% of churchgoers said they believe that the Bible is the true, inspired, and error-free Word of God. Only 61% can say that they believe in the God described in the Bible. Only 51% said the Bible speaks clearly on abortion, and only 47% said it is clear on homosexuality. When asked whether they prefer capitalism or socialism, 32% of churchgoers favored socialism.

Although 30% of those surveyed claimed to have a biblical worldview, the survey shows that only 11% actually do. CRC research director George Barna remarked, “This generation of churchgoers is increasingly unsure of what they believe—or why.” The challenge for church leaders is how to modify their education programs to confront this ignorance. Currently, the tendency is either to deny the problem or to offer a simplified, outdated explanation that doesn’t meet the needs of today’s young people.

The FRC findings indicate that there is “widespread confusion about the most basic truths of the Christian faith—about who God is, what sin is, and how someone is saved.” I would add to this list confusion over WHAT God is. The ignorance of modern churchgoers is troubling, and clearing up this confusion is what this ministry is about.

References: frc.org and arizonachristian.edu

January 5, 2026December 30, 2025

Planet Earth is a Very Special Place

People often dream of leaving Earth and exploring or establishing residency elsewhere in the universe. Whether it is Star Wars, Star Trek, or The Martian Chronicles, entertainment media suggest that soon, humans won’t be limited to the planet on which we were born. What these people may not realize is that planet Earth is a very special place, carefully designed to support and protect life from deadly forces.

The Sun provides the heat, light, and energy essential for life on Earth, but its nuclear processes also release energy that can be harmful. Stars in other parts of our galaxy emit radiation capable of ionizing atoms in living cells, destroying them. Some of these radiation forms can be easily blocked—beta and alpha particles can be stopped by plastic, glass, or aluminum. But higher-energy radiation, like gamma rays, X-rays, and high-energy particles such as protons, neutrons, and HZEs (high-energy ions), requires heavy shielding like lead, concrete, or thick layers of water. Of course, building shields of such materials around a spaceship isn’t practical.

Scientists are exploring ways to use magnetism or exotic energy sources to solve this problem—and they may succeed someday. The point is that planet Earth is a very special place, beyond what most people understand. The author of the Genesis account had to describe creation in a way ancient shepherds could understand, yet one that scientists in 2026 couldn’t dismiss as just an old myth.

Genesis 1:1 in Hebrew reads, “reshith elohim bara shamayim erets.” The ancient shepherd would read “In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth.” A scientist reading these words in 2026 would understand that the author was describing a beginning to time, caused by an intelligence outside of space and time, that created a planet with water so carbon-based life could live on it.” Planet Earth is a very special place.

Reference: American Scientist, January/February 2026, pages 40-47. For more on the language of Genesis 1, go to “God’s Revelation in His Rocks and in His Word,” on doesgodexist.org.

December 24, 2025December 21, 2025

Songs of Christmas

The Christmas season has inspired a wide and diverse collection of music over the years. Some of the songs of Christmas are just playful parodies, such as “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.” Others are for children, such as “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” However, some of the greatest classical works were composed for the Christmas season, including “The Nutcracker” by Tchaikovsky, “Messiah” by Handel, and “Christmas Eve Suite” by Rimsky-Korsakov. The most popular Christmas song, “White Christmas,” was written by Irving Berlin, a Jewish composer.

Our church songbook includes several songs of Christmas. Some are instructive and teach us meaningful lessons. “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” reminds us that a herald is “an official messenger bringing news.” Verse 2 uses the word “incarnate,” meaning “embodied in flesh.” It reflects John 1:14, which states, “the Word (Christ) was made flesh and dwelt among us.” Also in verse 2, we see the name “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us,” which appears in Matthew 1:23 and was prophesied hundreds of years earlier in Isaiah 7:14. In verse 3, we find the phrase ”healing in His wings,” which comes from Malachi 4:2, referring to Christ’s resurrection which allows us to “mount with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31).

Some songs of Christmas are steeped in human traditions and views. “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” is one example. Angels do not need golden harps (verse 1) and do not have wings (verse 2). The reference to Babel in the second verse alludes to the confusion of voices on Earth, but the fourth verse talks about the “age of gold,” when peace will extend “over all the Earth.” The author, Edmund Sears, was a Unitarian minister who believed that peace would come to the current Earth rather than the new heavens and new earth described in Revelation.

In “The First Noel,” verse 1 describes the shepherds in the field “on a cold winter’s night.” Luke 2:9 states that the shepherds were in the fields, but they would not have been there during the cold winter months. The second and third verses mention the star and “wise men,” but they arrived at least months later, when Jesus was in a house, not the stable. Although these songs are cherished classics, they are not entirely biblically accurate.

We enjoy the songs of Christmas. The Christmas season is a time of joy and giving, and it certainly has economic significance, but it is not biblical or commanded by God. A better song to reflect Christian faith is “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love,” which embodies what Jesus urges us to do. (See John 13:34-35, 15:9-10, and 1 John chapter 3).

December 19, 2025December 15, 2025

Happiness Comes from Giving, Not Possessing

One in every 10 households in the United States rents a self-storage unit. The big question is whether having that much stuff has made Americans happier than people in other cultures. Happiness comes from giving, not possessing.

Brenda and Mark Young, writing in the August 6, 2025, issue of Power for Today, describe their work in Honduras and how much happier the people there are compared to typical Americans. Those Hondurans didn’t have electricity, toilets, or running water in their homes, yet they amazed visitors with their joy. Their happiness came from the time they spent with family and friends, building strong, rich relationships. Their wealth comes from their relationships with people, not with things.

In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus is sitting opposite the temple treasury, watching as people make their donations to the temple. The wealthy are making a show of giving large amounts, but Jesus sees a poor widow who puts in two mites. That is not even enough to buy a sparrow, so two mites are insignificant as far as material goods are concerned. The poor widow gave wholeheartedly of all she had. God isn’t impressed by the amount a person gives. He looks for the heart behind it.

We overestimate the importance God places on our giving. If every Christian on the planet were to stop giving entirely, God’s work would still get done. Our giving is not for God’s benefit, but rather for ours. Our giving enriches our marriages, our kids, our friends, and our jobs when we have a heart to give. My parents were atheists, and to them, the material goods they acquired were the most important things in life. They were not happy people, and our family was in constant conflict because of their obsession with acquiring things.

Church work suffers when we decide what God wants us to build, then mount an all-out campaign to raise enough money to build it. What we need to do is look for the doors that God opens for us and do what God provides for us to do. Building enormous structures and hiring talented preachers to entertain us while people in the neighborhood are without food, medicine, and adequate shelter is not what Jesus taught us to do. Happiness comes from giving. Read Mark 12:41-44 again and pray about how your giving shows God where your heart is.

December 12, 2025December 10, 2025

Christ’s Ability to See the Potential in Everyone

One of Jesus Christ’s unique qualities was His ability to see the potential in everyone. Jesus never dismissed anyone that others might have given up on. A clear example is John, the disciple known for his teachings about love.

When Jesus called men to be His disciples, He nicknamed James and John “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). These young brothers were quick to anger and often expressed it by making threats or speaking loudly. In Luke 9:54, we read that James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven on a village that rejected Jesus, but Jesus had the ability to see the potential in everyone in that village.

The Bible is full of examples like John. Peter’s name was changed from Simon, son of John, to Cephas, meaning a small rock, and translated as “Peter” (John 1:42). Jesus saw Peter transformed from a weak, wavering, insensitive fisherman into a strong leader. Matthew was changed from an introverted, disliked tax collector to a man who would leave everything behind to become a disciple eager to introduce Christ to others (Luke 5:27-32).

In our prison ministry, we see potential in everyone, as lives are changed and attitudes altered by the power of Jesus’s teachings. Attitude is our way of thinking, and the repentance that the Bible often mentions involves changing how we think.

Jesus viewed people by their potential because that was His purpose on Earth. In Matthew 9:13, Jesus states, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Unlike other religious figures who only accept people without personal baggage, Christ’s ability to see the potential in everyone made Him different. Because of that ability, He knew that even the worst could become the best.

Those of us, like your author, who have been the worst, understand the transforming power of Jesus Christ. From our own experience, we know that even the worst can change. (You can read about my change in “Why I Left Atheism” on doesgodexist.org.)

December 5, 2025November 30, 2025

Forgive and Forget

One of the most challenging teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount is the instruction in Matthew 6:12: “Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.” In verses 14-15, Jesus states, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” How can we forgive and forget when someone has hurt us?

An article in National Geographic titled “Why Learning to Forget Is an Underrated Skill” included this statement: “We start to forget as soon as we begin to remember – and this is a good thing.” Forgetting prevents our minds from being overwhelmed with useless information or emotionally painful memories. It turns out we have surprisingly good control over what we choose not to remember.

God has designed our brains to forgive and forget. Jesus knew that forgetting is essential for good mental health. It’s hard for us to understand how God can forget our sins, but God is the Creator and is perfect. Our imperfections make it difficult for us to do what Jesus calls us to do.

The design of our brains demonstrates God’s incredible creative wisdom. We need to remember useful information. For example, we avoid grabbing something hot because past experience shows it will hurt. We can forget the pain of a broken heart when falling in love again. We can work on forgetting what someone did by choosing not to dwell on the pain. Research shows that letting go of bad experiences is crucial to our well-being.

Forgive and forget go hand in hand. Jesus understood what gives us greater stability in life. How much less stress would we have if we simply followed His teachings?

Reference: “Why Learning to Forget Is An Underrated Skill” in the December 2025 issue of National Geographic, pages 102-103, and nationalgeographic.com

December 2, 2025November 30, 2025

Healthy and Unhealthy Food

The Bible clearly shows how God provided food for humans. Genesis 2:8-9 explains that God planted a garden in Eden where He placed the first couple, and “the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground–trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.” Today, we have a choice between healthy and unhealthy food.

In Genesis 9:3, God tells Noah, “Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.” Later, God forbade the eating of animals that carry disease, like vultures, and prohibited drinking blood, but what God created for humans to eat is quite clear and beneficial.

In recent years, humans have created foods that are not healthy. Some seasonings may improve flavor, but they can be unhealthy. This leaves us with a choice between healthy and unhealthy food. The worst offenders include salt, refined sugar, ethyl alcohol, and animal fat. Science shows that these cause vascular problems and excessive weight gain. Increasing evidence links diet to mental health issues, memory problems, heart problems, kidney failure, and sexual dysfunction.

All of this strongly supports the Bible’s inspiration. When you see how accurate biblical instructions about what humans should eat are, it’s hard to see that as a coincidence. The negative effects of an unhealthy diet often appear long after the bad food is eaten. God created good food to meet human needs, but, as with everything else, negative consequences often result when humans modify what God has provided.

November 27, 2025November 23, 2025

Giving Thanks This Thanksgiving

One thing that sets Christianity apart is that we find Christians giving thanks for everything. Those who answer “None” when asked about their religion have no one to thank, and our modern American culture is characterized by taking everything for granted.

James 1:17 tells Christians, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” In the Old Testament, we see that Moses worried that when the people entered the promised land and were richly blessed, they might become proud and forget what God had done for them (Deuteronomy 8:11-20). Romans 1:21 tells us, “Although men knew that God exists, they have refused to honor him as God or render Him thanks. Hence, all their thinking has ended in futility, and their misguided minds are plunged into darkness.”

We are truly blessed both physically and spiritually. Outside the U.S., only 7% of the world’s population owns a car. The amount of food wasted in this country could feed all the underdeveloped countries in the world. But most importantly, as Christians, we are spiritually blessed.

Americans often see Thanksgiving as a time to enjoy turkey, hunting, and football. While we can enjoy any or all of these, 1 Timothy 2:1 encourages us with these words: “I am urging that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be offered for all mankind.” Make this Thanksgiving a time for giving thanks for the physical and spiritual blessings God has provided.

November 26, 2025November 23, 2025

The Prodigal Son and Modern Atheists

One of the best-known stories Jesus told was about a farmer with two sons. The story is often called the parable of the prodigal son, but I think it should be better called the parable of the father’s love. I see a similarity between the prodigal son and modern atheists.

In the story, the extravagant or wasteful son (that’s what “prodigal” means) wanted his father to give him his inheritance. Basically, he was saying, “You are as good as dead to me. Give me what’s mine so I can waste it.” That’s exactly what the father did, and the son quickly forgot about the father and showed no respect for what he had received. The pleasures of the world became all he cared about, and the father’s gifts were quickly wasted and destroyed.

The son’s attitude could be summed up as, “Give me what you have, and I will enjoy it.” Isn’t that what atheists say to God? While the son was at home with his father, he could enjoy everything the father provided, but he wanted to enjoy his father’s blessings on his own terms, without being bound by his father’s rules or expectations. The heavenly Father provides abundant blessings for us to enjoy, but many adopt the prodigal attitude. The pursuit of pleasure often becomes the main goal for those who reject God.

As the story unfolds, the prodigal realizes that the father’s loving care wasn’t so bad after all. Wasteful extravagance leads to despair and a dead end. Meanwhile, the father’s love never wavered, and he was watching for his son’s return. When he saw his son coming back, he didn’t wait for him to arrive to scold him for his foolishness. The father ran to meet his son with loving forgiveness.

The father symbolizes God, and as far as I can tell, that’s the only time in the entire Bible when God is described as being in a hurry. God runs to meet the returning son. The atheist who has rejected God’s love and comfort and refused His authority can be immediately welcomed home by the Father’s love.

The similarity between the prodigal son and modern atheists is clear. When the pleasures of the world fade and their so-called friends abandon them, God is still waiting to welcome the wasteful, unworthy, but repentant wanderers back into a loving home.

Reference: Luke 15:11-32

November 24, 2025November 23, 2025

Ignorance About Satan

There is widespread ignorance about Satan among people of all faiths. From comic strips in newspapers to numerous movies, we often see false portrayals of who or what Satan is. In comics, Satan is depicted wearing a red suit, with a tail and horns. While these images of a physical Satan may be entertaining, they are misleading and can cause many doubts, especially among young people.

In the Bible, Satan is described as the hater, accuser, adversary, or opposing spirit. The most detailed reference to Satan is in the New Testament, where the Greek term “diabolos” is translated as “devil” and “Beelzebub.” He is also called “prince of this world” (John 14:30) and “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2).

Throughout the New Testament, various descriptions reveal how Satan’s force operates. John 8:44 states that Satan is the father of lies. In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter describes Satan as a roaring lion walking around to seek whom he may devour. James 4:7 adds that Satan is a coward who will flee if resisted.

According to the Bible, the purpose of human life is that humans play a key role in the ongoing war between good and evil. This is clearly illustrated in Job 1-2, where God and Satan confront each other over whether good or evil is superior. Atheism offers no purpose for human existence, so only faith can provide an answer to this question. Jesus repeatedly provided solutions to Satan’s attacks.

We learn in John 4:24 that God is a Spirit. Ephesians 6:12 explains that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 3:10-11 shows that God’s goal was that through the Church (the called-out souls, not a building or denomination) “the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Satan is real, but he is a spiritual being, not a cartoon character or a misguided human as depicted in movies. Ignorance about Satan is a serious matter because it has eternal consequences.