Was God a genocidal maniac in calling for the expunging of the Canaanite tribes? How could a good God command the killing of men, women and children? This topic of the Old Testament is one of the most difficult passages to digest and accept. IT seems that the God of the Old Testament is nothing like Jesus. It is in fact through these criticisms we must dig deeper and find the heart and plan of God and see what actually happened to bring us the demonstration of God’s love through judgement of sin.

The topic of Slavery in the Bible is the most popular straw man of the New atheists. This accusation is a simplistic misrepresentation of the topic of slavery and how God sought to reform and eventually revolutionize its existence. It takes time and care to understand the role of slavery and its abolition through Christ. Once it is seen in its proper light one can rejoice in God’s purposes to change the world through love. Please take the time to listen and learn.

BATTLE SCARSWounds get inflicted Psalm 34.18 - The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.Wounds can get infected- overcoming bitterness, resentment, doubt and fearWe can learn or we can suffer It is the goodness of God’s providence that makes our sorrows meaningfulRomans 5:3 – “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”Love secures and restores hope, character and enduranceWalking with a limp - Jacob wrestled with God (Genesis 32:22-28)Become a wounded healer 2 Cor.1:4 (God) who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”“FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM HE ENDURED THE CROSS” - Hebrews 12:2Job 11:15-16 – “Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear. You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away.”

This starts the new series on answering the New Atheist attack against Christianity. This new effort by atheists is much more aggressive and deliberate. If Christians do not understand the tactics in the debate we will lose many of our children to atheism. This teaching will expose the four tactics commonly used by atheists to dismantle belief in God. Please learn how to defend the faith and secure your own beliefs through reason and correct Biblical knowledge.

Jesus summed up the Law by declaring we are to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love others as ourselves. It is time for us to evaluate our love for God by how much we are giving to others in His name. Truly American Christianity puts our own comfort before others and even God. We must re-evaluate our devotion to God and become radical in our love through a true demonstration of giving in Jesus name.

We are called a “royal priesthood” in the New Testament. This represents the priesthood of all believers and how we should act. Like the priests of the Old Testament we are to steward the covenant blessings of God. In a very practical way this teaching helps identify how this should be done in our day to day life in order to honor God and maintain a blessed life.