1. "I am scientific"

The perception of one's own scientificness and wisdom is one of the reasons why many turn their backs on God and the Christian faith. A person likes to think that he has a scientific view, that he is rational , and that his view is unbiased, dispassionate, and based on facts. At least no one wants to admit that he is a religious fanatic or, for example, a fundamentalist, which some newspapers and journalists like to use (many lump all religiosity and also Islam into this group). Almost everyone distinguishes between faith and science, and that man himself is free from all prejudices and preferences. The writing below by a free thinker well reflects this attitude held by people who consider themselves to be scientific:

I wish briefly that people would think scientifically.

   Generally, it looks like most people try to manage by thinking as little as possible. (…) The most important part of a scientific way of thinking is freedom from prejudices, predilections and devotions. The target of a scientist is always the truth, regardless of how unpleasant it may be or how much confusion it may cause to people whose beliefs it shows wrong. (1)

So, what do people consider to be a scientific approach? Most people believe it means following an atheistic philosophy that includes believing that the universe came into being by itself, that life came into being by itself, and that all species evolved from one simple cell that came from the ocean. A person who claims that he or she is scientific usually means that these statements about our origins are true. We will not address the accuracy of those claims in this writing. Instead, we will look at this “scientific approach” from another perspective.

Scientific approach or faith? If we start from the idea that someone's worldview is scientific and not based on faith at all, does such a person exist? How many people act only on facts in the field of science and in ordinary life, but do not use their faith? Is it possible to find such a person?

    If we are honest, practically no one works without faith. In the field of science, it manifests itself in trusting the credibility and information of others. Their opinions are considered reliable because they are thought to be in the know about things. It is exactly the same in the area of ordinary life. Even in that, we trust in what others say and consider their words to be true. We personally check only a small part of the things that we assume to be true.

    Therefore, everybody believes in something; nobody stands on neutral ground. Every person believes in something; also one who believes he bases everything on facts. There is no such thing as a completely scientific man, because it is impossible.

    The following examples highlight the importance of faith and its occurrence in everyday life:

• A girl trusts her mother's word that she will get a new dress. It is faith.

• People believe that such a place as Antarctica exists, even though very few have been there.

• When there are store advertisements in newspapers, we believe them and go shopping based on them.

• History is an area where we know everything based on the word of others. For example, the existence of Napoleon and Caesar can no longer be proven scientifically, but we have to rely on the word of others. It is a faith that everyone has to lean on.

• Questions about the origin of the universe, life and man belong to the area of faith. None of us witnessed the birth of these things. There are only different theories about how they started, but scientifically it is impossible to prove their origin.

   So, whenever we deal with the three basic pillars of the scientific ideology – the origins of the universe, the origins of life and the theory of evolution – we end up having to accept the following conclusions: 

• The idea of how the universe began is based on faith. The two most common ideas are that it came into existence by itself or that the universe is God's creation. The problem is that we cannot prove either of these notions scientifically because we cannot go back in time. If one is scientific in this area, one should actually have been looking at the early moments of the universe, but that is impossible. That's why we believe in one or the other theory, but no one has absolute proof. If we claim otherwise, we are mistaken.

• The origin of life is a similar matter. No one was there to witness it. Therefore, this concept is also based on faith. So far, there is not the slightest evidence that life could have originated by itself.

• The theory of evolution is based on the belief that in the past there has been evolution from simple forms of life towards more complex forms. No one has witnessed whether it really happened. Many well-known paleontologists have strictly denied the notion that there are intermediate forms between basic groups in the fossil record.

Can we trust the brain of an ape? When it is a question of the term “scientific view”, it usually refers to the theory of evolution, in which life evolved from simple life forms and humans evolved from ape-like creatures. Or if we go far enough in the evolutionist thought model, it leads to the fact that man too was born as a result of the big bang from a small space the size of a pinhead. This is how people might think in this naturalistic thought model.

    But there is a big problem with the same way of thinking: how can you trust a person's judgment if he is descended from an ape or even more primitive life form? If his brain and thinking are the result of only random processes, does it make sense to value such information? Doesn't his sanity lose its bottom if it comes from some ape-like creature or even the Big Bang? Reasonable reasoning, notion of one's own scientificness and intelligence is questionable if the person's background is like that. It can be a case of great self-deception and risk of delusions. We cannot rely on our scientificness if our origins are irrational and impersonal. Anyone who claims otherwise is not himself scientific.

I remember how a young man said in a seminar, “I cannot believe in creation, I believe in the Big Bang. We are only a result of chance and random events. There is no God. What do you say to that?”

   I replied, “Well, if we are the result of chance, then also your brain is a result of chance. Therefore, your ways of thinking which determine your logic are also the result of chance. If your logic is the result of an occasional series of events, you cannot be sure that it has developed in the right way. You cannot even be sure that you are asking the right questions because you cannot trust your own logic.”

   He was speechless. Later, he came to me and asked about the best books concerning the subject, saying that he should think seriously about this issue. He had begun to understand that without an absolute (God) he would have nothing. (2)

The question of the existence of God. A person who has a “scientific view of the world” may also deny the existence of God. People with such an atheistic approach are confident when saying that there is no God who created everything and with whom people can interact. Faith in God is only considered to be wishful thinking, something to which reasonable and scientific people do not resort.

   Naturally, it is difficult to prove that this atheistic view is right. If somebody says, “There is no God”, that does not prove that God does not exist. It is a question of religious bias, not of certain knowledge, because no one has unlimited knowledge of everything. That would require complete and exhaustive information on all matters, but that is impossible for us. How does a person know that God does not stay in that sector, about which he himself has no knowledge? It is very possible because every person is a finite being. Therefore, we are left with only belief or disbelief in the existence of God.

    However, according to the Bible, something can be known about God. It will be evident in at least three areas that we are going to look at.

Nature, its beauty and complexity testify to the Creator. Similarly, human personality, reason, emotions and the difference from animals are compatible with the Bible's description. These are not absolute proofs of God, but the Bible's teaching that God has created everything and made man in his own image can be deduced from them. This evidence fits better with a theistic worldview than with the impersonal and irrational beginning of everything.

- (Ps 19:1) The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.

- (Rom 1:19,20) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it to them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse

What about the possibility that nature has not born from the hand of almighty God? In this atheistic model, we encounter big problems for which no solution has been found. The Bible's model of an almighty Creator is a much more reasonable concept.

• The Big Bang theory is one of the most incredible theories. The idea that hundreds of millions of galaxies and stars, Earth and other planets, seas, rocks, giraffes, elephants, man, flowers, trees, butterflies, birds, mosquitoes, fish and other creatures have come from a space the size of a pinhead is a completely absurd idea. This thing can be believed, but it doesn't seem like a very wise theory.

• As stated, the origin of life has not been proven. The more information has been accumulated, the bigger the problem has been identified.

• The absence of intermediate forms suggests that the species have been separate from the beginning. This fact fits better with the biblical description than the atheistic model.

History. Historical research has repeatedly confirmed the accuracy of the Bible's descriptions. At least 30 people from the New Testament are mentioned in other sources, so the question is about historical people and things. Of course, this in itself does not prove the inner teaching of the Bible to be true, but it gives a good reason to find out about things. 

God’s revelation. What about more direct evidence for God's existence? Those who are atheists and agnostics often make the argument that if God exists, why doesn't he reveal himself to us? "Show us God and we will believe," they say.

    However, God has already shown Himself to us. The entire revelation of the New Testament is based on the fact that God became a man through Jesus Christ, lived a sinless life as a human, took our sins to the cross and opened us a path to Heaven.  God took the initiative and approached us in human form as the New Testament shows. Jesus himself said that he was not of this world like other people, and that he had come from heaven to do the will of his Father. This matter, God's revelation, is well expressed in the following verses:

- (Hebr 1:1,2) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,

2 Has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

- (John 1:18) No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.

- (2 Cor 5:19,20) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be you reconciled to God.

So God has already revealed himself and made known his plan and will for every person.

    However, one thing prevents people from understanding this matter: disbelief. When the letter of Hebrews says that without faith it is impossible to please God, this is true of atheists and agnostics who do not want to believe the revelation of the Bible.

    God has indeed revealed himself and exists according to the Bible, but disbelief and an attitude where people don't even want to find the truth - many exclude in advance the possibility that God could announce Himself - prevent them from reaching clarity and certainty. When Jesus said that ”He that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened” (Matt 7:8), not many are ready to even seek. Then it is impossible for them to find anything. The Bible talks about wrong attitudes, unbelief, faith and finding God in the following way. Do you have an unbelieving heart so that you reject in advance the possibility that God exists and that he wants man in His communion:

- (Hebr 3:12) Take heed, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

- (Rev 21:8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

- (Hebr 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

- (1 John 5:10) He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God has made him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son.

- (Hebr 4:2) For to us was the gospel preached, as well as to them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

- (2 Cor 5:7) For we walk by faith, not by sight

- (Rom 4:3-5) For what said the scripture?

Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.

4 Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

- (Mark 4:39,40) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And he said to them, Why are you so fearful? how is it that you have no faith?

2. The faults of the church

Disappointment with Christianity and its representatives is one reason why people abandon faith and God. The reason may be disappointment in someone close to you or disappointment in the church and "narrow-minded religiosity". Therefore, many cannot stand any talk about faith and God, but reject it sharply and rebel against it.

     As far as imperfection in people is concerned, it is true that it appears. It is true that few are good examples and even fewer can say in Paul's words: ”Be you followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1). In the same way, religion can be the kind that does not include spiritual life, but is hypocrisy. It was fought against already during the early church and e.g. John the Baptist said to certain people:

- (Matt 3:7-9) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

When the faults of the Church and wrongs done in the name of God through the centuries are pointed out, one should note what Jesus and the first disciples taught. If we take a look at their lessons, we will see that, "the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God," and that Jesus has never known these evildoers. Also, Paul predicted a similar kind of behavior after his departure. He taught that savage wolves will come that will not spare the flock.

  This means that not all people who appear in the name of God and Jesus are his own, despite claiming so (As Paul said in Titus 1:16, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him”). Jesus said about false prophets: "You shall know them by their fruits." (Matt 7:16), and this is certainly true of every person:

- (Acts 20:29-31) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

- (Matt 7:21-23) Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

- (1 Cor 6:9) Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived…

However, it is good to note that even if someone has turned to God, there may still be a lot of deficiency in his life. There are people on different levels, and for example the Corinthians were still little children in Christ, because Paul wrote how there was envy, strife and other problematic behavior among them. On the other hand, however, Paul himself could say to others: "Brothers, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an example." (Phil 3:17):

- (1 Cor 3:1-3) And I, brothers, could not speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal, even as to babes in Christ.

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for till now you were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able.

3 For you are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal, and walk as men?

Account only of ourselves. Secondly, when referring to the wrongs committed by churches throughout history, it is worth noting that each of us is ultimately only responsible for our own actions, not those of others. That is, even though it is true that many wrong things have been done, we certainly cannot invoke the mistakes and wrongdoings of others and use that to justify our own behavior. If we put our own lives in order and first remove the "beam" from our own lives, there is already a lot to do in it (Matt 7:5 You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother’s eye.):

- (John 21:21,22) Peter seeing him said to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

22 Jesus said to him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to you? follow you me.

- (Rom 14:12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

- (Rom 2:6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

- (Rev 20:12-15) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Impact of God on the society. People criticising the so-called Christianity have plenty of justified statements, as noted before. These are not unfounded accusations.

   However, it is important to see that when God touches a person, such a person's life should change. If it doesn't get any better, and he continues to kill, steal, and break laws, this person is lost, as the previous verses showed.

   The next example describes what can happen when God has a stronger influence on society. He will then change the lives of many. It is not a Big Brother control society, of which there are examples in history, but that the vast masses of the people have changed internally. The description is from the 19th century:

I have told that the moral situation changed greatly through this revival. The city was new, economically prosperous and enterprising but full of sin. The population was especially intelligent and ambitious but as the revival swept through the city by bringing large crowds of its most remarkable people, men and women, to conversion, there happened a very miraculous change concerning the order, peacefulness and morality.

   I had a talk with a lawyer many years later. He had been converted in this revival and was a general prosecutor in criminal cases. Because of this office, the criminal statistics were thoroughly familiar to him. He said about the time of this revival, “I have examined documents of criminal law and noticed a surprising fact: while our city has grown three times larger after the times of the revival, there has not been even a third of the indictments than there were before. So miraculous an effect did the revival have on our society.”(…)

   (...) Both public and personal opposition gradually abated. In Rochester I did not know anything about it. The salvation had its own great visitation, the revivals were so powerful and moved so widely, and people had time to become acquainted both with themselves and the results of them to such an extent that they feared to oppose them as before. The priests also understood them better, and the wicked were convinced that they were acts of God. This idea of them became almost common, so clear was the sane nature of the conversions, so really transformed, “new creations”, were the converts, so thorough a change occurred both in individuals and in the society, and so permanent and undeniable were the fruit. (3)

3. Evil in the world

When a negative attitude towards spiritual matters has been justified, one reason, in addition to the faults of the churches, is evil in the world. It is thought that God cannot possibly exist because there is so much evil and suffering in the world, and because justice does not exist. It is difficult for many people to reconcile these matters with the existence and love of God, as the next quote indicates:

But this is actually only a part of a larger problem. It is namely difficult for me to relate to an idea about a God of love. The problem is not only evil in the church, but evil in the whole world. If God created this world and if He cares for it, why is there so much bloody suffering in the world? You answered in your letter that God cannot be regarded as being responsible for that, because He has given man freedom to choose between right and wrong. But I think that this question cannot be pushed aside so easily. When a man, in his freedom of choice, chooses to do evil and the result is pain and suffering for innocent people, then God simply cannot be the "loving" God you claim Him to be! (4)

However, this thing proves the Bible's word to be true. For when we look at the Bible, it already talks about the Fall, which brought sin into the world, in its opening chapters. While man originally lived in wonderful harmony together with animals, the situation changed when the Fall occurred. Then man's reason darkened, his will bent to evil, and he lost the peace of his conscience. God's image in man was also corrupted and sin and death entered the world, as shown in Romans. It is difficult to deny that the world is in the state indicated in the Bible:

- (Rom 5:12) Why, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed on all men, for that all have sinned.

The fall into sin is therefore a reality in the world. It manifests itself in evil, suffering, selfishness and death, which are its consequences. Auschwitz and Rwanda would certainly not have happened if the world was not truly in the power of evil, as John wrote (1 John 5:19). It also manifests itself in the need for police and armed forces in societies. They are needed because human goodness is not trusted. It's not just about upbringing and circumstances, but about original sin that lives in us. This is how the Bible teaches in many places. The practical evidence is too great to deny the Fall. The following example continues on the same topic:

- “Professor Joad was an intelligent and quick-witted opponent of the gospel,” the pastor interrupted him. “I remember, as I was in England, how a vicar preached about the subject, ‘God, the devil and Professor C.E.M. Joad’.”

   Everyone burst into laughter.

   Michael continued his speech:

- Professor Joad was of the opinion that there is nothing wrong with human nature that would not be cured by a higher civilization, better opportunities and a better environment.

   Then came war. When Joad contemplated misery of the pain and destruction, he came to the conclusion that the events of that moment and also of history are a long account of man’s inhumanity towards other people. He came to notice that theologians had one common viewpoint, which the philosophers did not emphasize, namely that in human nature there is some fault, and that fault could be called original sin. From these starting points, Joad progressed from sin to the need for salvation and from the Savior to God, who sent Him to atone for the sins of men. Joad experienced an intellectual conversion to Christianity and became a member of the Anglican Church. "A higher level of education, better opportunities and a better living environment," he finally said, "have not yet brought about a better society, as evidenced by the growing crime statistics of welfare countries." (5)

The will of God and man. When Jesus lived on Earth he taught the Lord’s Prayer to His disciples. One of the things Jesus taught his disciples to ask God for was that His will would be done in earth. He advised His disciples to pray for this because it was God’s plan and because for the time being, His will comes true perfectly only in Heaven:

- (Matt 6:10) Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

This suggests one of the biggest reasons behind the existence of suffering in the world. Here on the Earth it is not the will of God that comes true, but the will of man. While there is no evil and suffering and other problems in heaven, there are in the world and mainly because of the evil of people. Here people choose to do wrong instead of reducing the evil in the world. If only we followed Jesus' instructions in the Sermon on the Mount about loving our enemies and repented as John the Baptist and Jesus and the apostles taught, the world would be a better place. However, these instructions are not always followed, and therefore the world can hardly become better than it is now. God's will is not fulfilled in people's lives and we don't always want to change for the better:

- (Matt 3:1,2) In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent you: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

- (Acts 26:19,20) Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision:

20 But showed first to them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

- (Matt 25:42-45) For I was an hungered, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we you an hungered, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to you?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.

Only a temporary state. Although there is evil in the world and God's will is often not fulfilled, the good thing is that the current state of the world is only temporary. Wars, sufferings and diseases, which make it difficult for many to believe in a loving God, are after all only a temporary phase before perfection. We can see from the Bible how all the consequences of the Fall will be removed, the creation will be renewed and new heavens and a new earth will be created, where there will be no more pain, sickness and sorrow, because all the former has passed away. Death – our last enemy -- will be destroyed and will not disturb anyone anymore. According to Jesus' own words, He is the way to this kingdom:

- (John 10:9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved…

- (John 14:6) Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.

- (1 Cor 15:26) The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

- (Rev 21:1-6) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.  And he said to me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.

One stumbling block for many people, and an issue that should be pointed out, are the wars mentioned in the Old Testament and the understanding of what God is like. The next paragraph written by a former agnostic provides a good example of the opinions held by many people:

And then another problem. You have spoken very much about the love of God, etc. But I remember that the God of the Old Testament is quite different! Didn’t He destroy the whole planet by sending the Flood? Quite an angry guy! And didn’t He order that the Canaanites must be destroyed – including the women and children? And didn’t he burn Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes? It does not sound that your loving God has done this. (6)

When responding to the honest criticism above, it is good to take into consideration at least the next observations. They can provide new perspective on the issue:

Historical writings. Firstly, it is good to note that the Bible’s description of wars and other events is like those in any other book of history, even though the Bible is the word of God. It describes these events and early phases in the history of mankind, as do other history books; except that events in the Bible take place over a period of several centuries.

  Wars and other events and people are mentioned in the Old Testament because history books usually do this. Rarely do they describe peaceful and normal periods: very often times of crises are focused upon.

    World War II is a fairly recent example. Much more has been written about it than about the decades before it, even though it only lasted a few years. It shows how usually extraordinary events (the miracles of the Bible are among them) are recorded better than events of normal and peaceful times. The Bible is no exception in this regard.

Sin debt. Secondly, it is good to note that when the Bible tells about Sodom and the Canaanites, the judgment of these nations was due to their own wickedness. When it is known about the Canaanites that they burned their children alive in fire (Deut 12:31, 2 Chron 28:3), and were otherwise bad people, the judgment did not meet them by chance. The wickedness of these people had achieved its peak and their debt of sin had become full. Similarly, the Israelites later angered God and suffered for it. The fulfillment of the sin debt, is also possible in today's society, because even here people have gone very far in evil:

- (Gen 15:16) But in the fourth generation they shall come here again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

Concept of God. When in the quote mentioned above the former agnostic honestly criticized the concept of what God is like, so it is good to study this issue in the light of the New Testament.

    When we look at the New Testament, according to it, Jesus is the express image of God (Hebr 1:3) and in which God revealed Himself perfectly. Jesus said, “he that has seen me has seen the Father” and this is what we should believe. The Bible also says, that “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

  Therefore, if we want to know what God is like, the best verses are such passages that speak about Jesus, His character and what He said. Let’s study this issue in the light of the next verses:

- (John 14:8,9) Philip said to him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us.

9 Jesus said to him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father?

- (Matt 11:28-30) Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

- (Matt 22:15,16) Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

16 And they sent out to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God in truth, neither care you for any man: for you regard not the person of men.

- (Luke 15:1,2) Then drew near to him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners, and eats with them.

- (John 10:10,11) The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

- (1 John 4:8,16) He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.

5. What is love?

One reason why people reject the message of the Gospel is their idea of what love is and what it is not. Many are offended by attitudes of some people or if certain behaviours are described as sinful. They say straight away: “Don't judge,” and "don't be narrow-minded". Because of these attitudes they reject the whole message of the Gospel.

   One behaviour is homosexuality – an act often justified by those who favour a position of tolerance and love. It has been said that there is nothing wrong with two adults having a sex relationship with each other, even though they are of the same sex. The following quote illustrates such an attitude:

However, we made mistakes. We noted, for example, that preaching against homosexuality caused a fully negative reaction. In the city that had been famous for a protective attitude towards minorities of the society through the ages, our preaching, in which we judged homosexuality, offended the desire of Amsterdam’s inhabitants to protect weaker. We offended the sense of justice of an ordinary man. A part of that sexual liberation is a monument for homosexuality in one of the market places of the city. Sexual freedom has been taken to glaring extremities in Amsterdam, which is regarded as the capital city of homosexuality in Europe. It is estimated that every weekend ten- to fifty thousand homosexual men or women come to Amsterdam because of its famous night life and events. Also heterosexuals, including grandmothers, react powerfully, if we spoke against practising homosexuality and when we emphasized that it indicates how far the city of Amsterdam has gone away from the norms given by God. (7)

The love of God. When we start to investigate the matter, it is good to start with love, because it is true that everyone needs it -- homosexuals and heterosexuals -- and that cannot be denied. Who wouldn't want to be accepted and liked? Every human has this basic need and it is good that it is fulfilled. It would be good to experience it from the womb. The background of many homosexuals, too, is often traumatic interpersonal relationships (men have usually had a bad relationship with their father, been rejected by peers, or they have suffered sexual abuse by someone of the same sex; women have usually had problems with their relationship with their mother).

    However, when we look at the New Testament, the whole point of it is that we have been loved unconditionally. Several verses teach that when we were far away from God, when we were His enemies and sinners, we were loved by Him. It includes homosexuals as well as the worst and smallest sinners. Every person can be the object of the same love, as we can see:

- (Rom 5:8) But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

- (Rom 5:10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

- (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

What is the truth? Although every person in the world – including homosexuals – can be the object of God's love, it is still important to raise the question of what the truth is and whether our actions have meaning. It hardly comes up in the secular media.

    This question is important. Because if the message of the Bible and especially the New Testament is true, it shows us that fornicators, adulterers, murderers, but also persons who practice homosexuality - a lifestyle that is often defended with love in our society - will not inherit the kingdom of God. So a good question is, how true are e.g. the following verses and how many take these words seriously? If they are true and we reject them in spite of everything, then are we not acting foolishly? Anyway, our mistake is that we think about things very short-sightedly only in terms of pleasures and do not think about eternity:

- (1 Cor 6:9,10) Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

What does the previous thing mean in practice, it is clear that an unrepentant person cannot enter God's communion and heaven. When Jesus and the apostles called for a change of heart and to give up sins, these words should be taken seriously and not made in vain (Matt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand). The problem with many is that they never think the whole matter through or admit that they have sinned. They do not admit homosexuality or extramarital affairs as a sin and that is what prevents them from being forgiven. Because even though Jesus is the Savior of sinners and grace has come through Him, it does not benefit anyone who claims to be sinless and does not admit to having done anything wrong. In the Lord’s Prayer, which is familiar to many, we are told to pray for the forgiveness of our sins, but it is only useful to us if we first admit that we have sinned. This is the starting point for true forgiveness:

- (Luke 11:4) And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

- (1 John 1:8-10) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Furthermore, it is good to note that God's love and mercy, which has appeared to us through Jesus Christ, can change our whole life. It applies to homosexuality as well as other addictions and desires such as freedom from alcoholism, tobacco, anger, porn addiction... It is possible to free yourself from all these things. If it is said that it is not possible, then the following words of Jesus are claimed as a lie. The practice at least shows that many have freed themselves from the previous issues. Are we ourselves ready to change and join this process:

- (John 8:36) If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.

6. Why is there damnation?

Damnation is an issue over which many may stumble. It is difficult for people to comprehend the existence of such a place and they cannot understand why God will send some people there to suffer an eternal sentence.

   However, in this area it is good to take into account the following points, which are important for the matter:

The goodness of God. So many find it difficult to accept the idea of damnation. They may consider it unjust and think about how it fits in with God's goodness. They may vigorously fight this idea. However, the same thing can also be seen in that way that God would not be a good God if He forgave unrepentant wrongdoers. For if wrongdoers, dictators and tyrants who enjoy their evil - perhaps torturing others - and do not want to change, were to be forgiven, would that not be an acceptance of injustice? Wouldn't God then give His consent that these wrongdoers have done evil to others? How can such God be good, who accepts evil and who allows evil to gain victory over good? One would not expect such a thing from a perfectly good God.

  It is just the existence of judgment day and damnation for wrongdoers that makes us believe in the victory of goodness and the goodness of God. If there were no final day of judgment, when the unjust will be judged, and those who have suffered unjustly will be compensated, God would not be a good God - otherwise he would accept and consent to injustice. The fact that there is a doomsday, is proof of the victory of goodness and that evil does not get the final victory. It shows that God is on the side of good against evil.

No one needs to go to damnation. Secondly, it is good to understand that no one needs to go to damnation. God is love (1 John 4:8) and does not want anyone to go there. In fact, the core teaching of the whole gospel is that Jesus has come into the world to save sinners (Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.) and that all sins were laid on Him (Isa 53:6 …and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.) Each of us can be saved from the condemnation of damnation through the atonement work of Jesus if we turn to Him and repent our sins. At the same time, we get eternal life as a gift:

 - (1 Tim 2:3,4) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

- (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

- (Luke 15:3-7) And he spoke this parable to them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

- (Eze 18:23,32) Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? said the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, said the Lord GOD: why turn yourselves, and live you.

The only reason why many are not saved is that they turn their back on God's grace and ignore His call. Luke 14:15-18 indicates this: And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said to him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then said he to him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:  And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.  And they all with one consent began to make excuse…

   The well-known Finnish preacher Niilo-Ylivainio wrote about the same thing in his time. He described the nonchalant attitude taken towards God by people, and tried to get people to understand the grave consequences from such behavior:

"Uncertainty gnaws me day and night. There is enough of it.

  But I am gnawed more by those people who are going to Hell. I see a line of people, a crowd that only walks. Shout to them, explain to them, teach them, try to gesticulate and to describe, that they are walking towards devastation! So what happens then? They just go! They just walk! They just slide! They laugh and walk toward the gates of hell!

  You think about 'old Niilo' now, I can see by your face. You think, So you spoke and preached, and what of that.

  I am compassionate by nature. I have always been like that. I would so love people to Heaven, if it helped. But when I was younger, I tried to frighten people to faith.

  My intentions were good.

  People say that my preaching was hard and harsh, and indeed it was. My intentions were good. I thought that if the frightfulness of the Judgment and the heat of Hell are described to people in the correct way, they will come to their senses.

  Then, I still tried to prolong the moment of resolution. I asked and asked, persuaded, and tried to win time in order to give them a possibility until the very last moment. (…)

  Yes, some were also saved by frightening. It worked on many. They understood that I wasn't scaring them for the sake of money, but that I was serious. Hardness, if it is straight talk, has its place. I was tough because I was worried about them. I thought that it is now up to me whether these people go to Heaven or to Hell.

  It was honest work in the sense that people were honestly told where they were going. Being honest was hard on me. It cost me my strength and health already as a young man." (8)

Charles G. Finney wrote about the same topic in the 1800s. He proved in a good way what sort of treatment God received from people, even though He had sent His only Son and loved them. Many people have reacted in the same way as these people in the example. They have rejected time and time again the love of God:

I had my pocket Bible in my hand and I read this text from it, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I don't remember much of what I said, but I know that I couldn't stop thinking about the kind of treatment God receives from people as gratitude for His love. This thought filled my heart with pain; that's why I poured my whole heart onto them, with tears flowing out of my eyes.

  I saw several men there, from whom I had heard awful mockery on the previous day. In the meeting I referred to them and told what they had said and how they had shouted condemnation of God to each other. I poured my whole heart onto them. I said that they "barked blasphemy along roads like dogs of hell", and that I had come here as "to the edge of hell". Everyone knew that my words were true, and it made them shiver. But they didn't look like they were hurt, they only cried like me. There was hardly a dry eye in the whole room.

  The restaurant owner had refused to open the meeting room in the morning. But after this first meeting, he rose and announced that he will open it in the afternoon.

  The people scattered all around the area and spread the information everywhere, and in the evening the meeting room was almost as full as a school in the morning. Everyone who could come was in the meeting, and the Lord allowed me to attack them in quite a miraculous way. My sermon seemed to be quite new to them. I also felt as if I had let hail and love fall on them at the same time, hailstones accompanied with a great deal of love. The mockery and profanation, which they heaped and heaped on the name of God, seemed to expand my love toward Him to extreme pain. I rebuked and disciplined them with all my heart, but in spite of it all I felt so much sympathy for them, that they could not have mistaken it. I have never heard them blame me for excessive severity, even though I have probably never before in my life spoken so severely.

  That day's work caused large amounts of people to be converted. Since then, whenever I informed that I was having a meeting anywhere, at any time, people came to hear me. The work started immediately and progressed with great speed. Twice I preached in the village church, sometimes I held a prayer meeting, and usually I preached in a school in the neighborhood at five o'clock in the afternoon. (9)

Call to the new life

We have addressed the objections that people sometimes raise when someone tries to teach them about the Gospel and eternal life. They are very common objections and seem to be reasonable, and are often used to reject all spiritual matters and the act of turning to God.  Through them, the good idea and the message of the Gospel that God wants to save us and bring us to His eternal kingdom may have been thwarted. From His side, everything is already ready and we can receive eternal life as a gift, but we ourselves can reject His call and love. It is possible if we turn our backs on His gift of eternal life:

- (Luke 14:15-18) And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said to him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

16 Then said he to him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse...

- (Rev 21:6) And he said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.

- (Rev 22:17) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Next, we teach how you can be saved and answer God’s call.

1. Turn to Jesus Christ and give your life to Him

Turn to Jesus Christ. Tell Him that you are a sinner who needs salvation and that you want the plan of God to come true in your life. At first, there is no need to try to become better. Just go to Him as you are with all of your faults. According to the Bible, there is eternal life only in Jesus and therefore we must turn to Him so that we can get it:

- (John 5:40) And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

- (John 6:68,69) Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, the Son of the living God.

- (John 10:9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved...

2. Receiving. When there is eternal life only in Jesus Christ, it is natural that you must receive Him into your life. You can simply say, "Lord, Jesus, come into my life! According to the Bible, he already stands outside the door of our hearts, in order to enter our lives:

- (Rev 3:20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Therefore, if you have received Him into your life, then you are the child of God, you have eternal life, and you have been born again - regardless of your feelings - as the following verses show:

- (John 1:12)  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name

 - (1 John 5:11-13) And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life.

13 These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.

The prayer of salvation: Lord, Jesus, I turn to You. I confess that I have sinned against You and have not lived according to Your will. However, I want to turn away from my sins and follow You with all my heart. I also believe that my sins have been forgiven through Your atonement and I have received eternal life through You. I thank You for the salvation that You have given me. Amen.

REFERENCES:

1. V.T. Aaltonen: Miksi en ole kristitty, p. 199, 200

2. Ken Ham: Valhe, evoluutio, The Lie: Evolution, p. 44

3. Charles G. Finney: Ihmeellisiä herätyksiä, p. 245,246, 249

4. Gregory A. Boyd and Edward K. Boyd: Epäilijän kirjeet, (Letters from a skeptic), p. 26,27

5. J. Edwin Orr: 100 kysymystä Jumalasta (100 Questions about God), p. 59 - 60

6. Gregory A. Boyd and Edward K. Boyd: Epäilijän kirjeet, (Letters from a skeptic), p. 169

7. Floyd Mcclung: Elämää helvetin esikartanoissa (Living On The Devil’s Doorstep), p. 186,187

8. Mauno Saari: Saarnaaja, p. 268,269

9. Charles G. Finney: Ihmeellisiä herätyksiä, p. 81,82

More on this topic:

Six major lies. Six arguments that appear in the literature of God-rejecting people. Read why they are not worth believing in and why they are based on a lie

An open letter to Skepsis ry. The scientific or unscientific nature of the Skepsis Association? Learn how representatives of Skepsis are not scientific, though they may think so

Dawkins and the God Delusion. Richard Dawkins is known for his anti-Godliness, as evidenced by the Book The God Delusion. Read whether Dawkins ’arguments make sense or not

The book and society. Read how the Bible and the Christian faith have affected literacy, health care, and other positive ways. Many are blind to this fact

Is God good or bad? Is God good and just or not? Many do not realize that Jesus was and is the perfect image of a heavenly God

Christian faith and prejudice. People have a variety of objections to the Christian faith and to God. Read if these objections and prejudices make sense

People who reject God. Today, people in the West reject God because they do not believe in creation or disagree on moral issues.