This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
(Titus 3:8-9) NKJV
Is Intelligent Design an intelligent choice? The short answer: NO
But let’s take a step back and see if we can parse this in a way which will be the most benefit to as many people as possible.
For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it.
(Ephesians 2:8-9) Good News Translation
As we still have to ask God/Jesus for forgiveness, as we always did, why was a crucifixion necessary?
Under normal circumstances you’d think that answering this question would be simple. Here’s one way to answer it.
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
(Ephesians 4:9-10) KJV
Who descended and what are the lower parts of the Earth? Fortunately this isn’t a mystery and we’ve already done the work needed to resolve both issues.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
(John 1:1-2) KJV
We’re testing the hypothesis that the deep, the Word of God and Jesus Christ are identities of God the Son. If they are, then the description of each one will be congruent with the featured passage.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
(Psalms 33:18-19) KJV
Being dead doesn’t mean that we cease to exist. Dead or alive refers to the condition of our soul in terms of it’s relationship to God. God has power over the life and death of the soul, through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
There’s no other power available which can keep your soul alive. Only faith in Jesus Christ can deliver your soul from death.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
(Colossians 2:13) KJV
Paul’s writing to people who are metabolically alive and telling them that they were dead, but now they’re alive. Clearly he’s not talking about biology or their bodies, he’s talking about their souls. We’ve identified two states of the soul:
Alive (quickened),
dead.
During the days of our time on Earth we can be either dead or alive while our body’s still breathing. The difference between being dead or alive is whether or not we’ve trusted in Jesus Christ and been forgiven of our sins (quickened).
When we take our last breath it’s not the end of existence. We continue to be conscious, aware of our environment and external stimuli. Our soul is a gravity node which continues in one of two states after our body dies.
Alive (quickened) in a new body in heaven,
dead, but receiving stimuli and interacting with the environment,
All souls are eternal, however, they’re either dead or alive. The death of our body isn’t the end of consciousness, and the death of our soul isn’t the end of existence.
Use honest scales, honest weights, and honest measures. I am the Lord your God, and I brought you out of Egypt.
(Leviticus 19:36) Good News Translation
Terminology is very important. When words are used correctly, meaning that they have accurate definitions with consistent application, then everyone should understand.
Matty (Headwind) 